- Scientists have developed ‘silent artificial muscles’ that are flexible like human muscles.
- These muscles will help the robots to move quietly and naturally.
- These muscles have small pumps integrated into them, eliminating the need for an external pump.
- New muscles will make robot designs compact, efficient, revolutionizing healthcare.
Silent Artificial Muscles: A lot of work has been done on robotics in the last few years and now we are seeing very advanced robots. Now scientists have made another new discovery, which can completely change the world of robots. This discovery can prove to be revolutionary for robots as well as wearable devices. Actually, MIT Media Lab and Polytechnic University of Italy have created a new type of artificial muscles. Apart from being strong and flexible, they work just like human muscles. This will make it easier for robots to move.
How can Silent Artificial Muscles prove to be revolutionary?
The new artificial muscles are similar to the fibers found in human muscles. These can be arranged in different ways according to the robot or device. Also it is silent. With this, the robot will not make noise while moving. It is completely soft and flexible. For this reason, it can be beneficial for those devices which have to work in close proximity to people.
How will Silent Artificial Muscles work?
The researchers have combined two existing concepts into a single system for these muscles. In the first, a soft and tube-like artificial muscle called McKibben actuator contracts when the fluid is pumped. The second is a small pump built on electrohydrodynamics. It moves the fluid using electric force. The researcher has integrated this small pump into the muscle fiber itself. With this the need for external pump has been eliminated. Apart from this, like human muscles, the fibers work in pairs. That means when you bend your arm, one muscle contracts and the other gets stretched. Researchers have prepared these artificial muscles with this idea.
How will Silent Artificial Muscles change the world of robots?
The design of the robot can change with these new artificial muscles. Actually, an electric motor is used in the robot, which creates rotational motion, which has to be converted into straight line movement. Due to new artificial muscles the motion will not have to be converted. Apart from this, they can be integrated into the entire body of the robot, which will make the design more compact and efficient. With this, robotic systems used in different fields including healthcare and manufacturing can be improved. Artificial muscles can replace the heavy hardware used in current systems.
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