2y ago

Artificial Muscles Flex for the First Time: Ferroelectric Polymer Innovation in Robotics

A new ferroelectric polymer that efficiently converts electrical energy into mechanical strain has been developed by Penn State researchers. This material, showing potential for use in medical devices and robotics, overcomes traditional piezoelectric limitations.

5 comments

Mwwaah! NOW we can make battlemechs. While I fear a future of robotic warfare where human losses have disappeared, and thus the incentive to end the war has too, leading to permanent opportunities for military-industrial powers to rake in money forever...
This is too cool not to appreciate at least briefly.
- Closer to Zero Dawn every day.
We're battletech now boys. First gen myomer is here.
So, taking the average bicep volume as 1000cm3, this muscle could: exert 1 tonne of force, contact 8% (1.6cm for a 20cm long bicep), and require 400kV and must be above 29 degrees Celcius.
Maybe someone with access to the paper can double check the math and get the conversion efficiency from electrical to mechanical.
I expect there's a good trade-off to be made to lower the force but increase the contraction and lower the voltage. Possibly some kind of ratcheting mechanism with tiny cells could be used to overcome the crazy high voltage requirement.
Weird flex, but ok