New artificial muscle fibers developed for robotics

Artificial muscles are a crucial area in the development of technologies for robots and prosthetics. Engineers have long struggled to create analogs that combine strength, rapid response, and control as biological muscles do. However, researchers at MIT Media Lab and Politecnico di Bari in Italy have developed new artificial muscle fibers that come closer to achieving these qualities.

These fibers can be arranged in various configurations to meet specific task requirements, and they are compliant enough to interface comfortably with the human body. Unlike traditional robotic systems, the new fibers operate silently and do not require bulky equipment like motors or pumps.

The researchers describe the new electrofluidic fibers as electrically driven actuators. This research was published in Science Robotics and led by MIT PhD candidate Ozgun Kilic Afsar and Professor Vito Cacucciolo from Politecnico di Bari.

A key element of the new system is the miniaturized pumps based on electrohydrodynamics, which can generate pressure inside a sealed fluid compartment without moving parts. Weighing just a few grams, these pumps can be easily scaled and integrated into systems where compactness and lightweight design are critical.

The researchers also found that the muscle fibers need to be pre-pressurized for effective operation, preventing cavitation that can lead to system failures. This innovation allows for the elimination of the need for an external reservoir, which has limited the practical use of pumps in robotics.

These artificial muscles could be particularly useful in wearable devices, such as exoskeletons that assist individuals in lifting heavy loads, as well as in other systems utilizing fluidic actuators. The new design principles have broad applicability across various robotic systems.