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Article
A Novel Soft Actuator for the Musculoskeletal System
Advanced Materials Technologies (2018)
  • Lianjun Wu, Georgia Southern University
  • Indrajeet S. Chauhan, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Yonas Tadesse, University of Texas at Dallas
Abstract
The musculoskeletal system (MS) is essential for the movements of biological systems. Inspired by this natural structure, several attempts are made to create a synthetic MS. However, one of the challenges in developing an artificial MS for biomimetic robots is the lack of a high‐performance, low‐cost, light‐weight, and compact artificial muscle. In this Communication, a novel twisted and coiled artificial muscle is demonstrated, which is a promising actuator for the development of the artificial MS. The new muscle is made by twisting a nylon 6 fishing line precursor fiber and wrapping with a very thin (80 µm diameter) resistance wire. The resistance wire is not twisted during twist insertion of the polymer, which is very important for the performance of the muscle. The new muscle termed TCP^FL/NC is integrated in a 3D printed ball‐and‐socket‐based artificial MS. Characterization results show a remarkable tensile actuation (53% strain provided at 1.69 MPa for an input current of 0.22 A). Furthermore, a bioinspired design and fabrication of the synthetic MS is illustrated incorporating antagonistic pairs capable of reaching a bending angle of 20° within 1 s. These actuators can potentially be used in other soft robots, prosthetics, and orthotics advancing the progress in the area.
Keywords
  • Novel,
  • Soft actuator,
  • Musculoskeletal system
Publication Date
May, 2018
DOI
10.1002/admt.201700359
Citation Information
Lianjun Wu, Indrajeet S. Chauhan and Yonas Tadesse. "A Novel Soft Actuator for the Musculoskeletal System" Advanced Materials Technologies Vol. 3 Iss. 5 (2018) ISSN: 2365-709X
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lianjun-wu/1/