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Biomimetic high performance artificial muscle built on sacrificial coordination network and mechanical training
Zhikai Tu1, Weifeng Liu2, Jin Wang3
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Green Fine Chemicals, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
Nature Communications
|May 19, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a high-performance artificial muscle material inspired by biomaterials. This novel material demonstrates self-strengthening and high actuation stress, paving the way for advanced robotics and medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomimetic Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Artificial muscles are crucial for advanced actuators, robotics, and medical devices, but mimicking skeletal muscle characteristics remains a significant challenge.
- Existing synthetic materials often lack the dynamic properties and self-strengthening capabilities of biological muscles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-performance artificial muscle material with enhanced mechanical properties and actuation capabilities.
- To explore the use of sacrificial coordination bonds and biomass lignin for creating intelligent materials.
Main Methods:
- A repetitive mechanical training process was employed to rearrange sacrificial coordination bonds in a polyolefin elastomer.
- Biomass lignin was incorporated as a green reinforcer to establish interfacial coordination bonds.
- The material's performance was evaluated based on actuation strain, actuation stress, self-strengthening, strain-adaptive stiffening, and programmable actuation.
Main Results:
- The artificial muscle material achieved high actuation strain (>40%) and high actuation stress (1.5 MPa), capable of lifting over 10,000 times its own weight.
- Demonstrated excellent self-strengthening through mechanical training, strain-adaptive stiffening, and programmable actuation (heat/electric).
- Utilized easily available raw materials and a facile fabrication strategy.
Conclusions:
- The developed artificial muscle material offers a promising solution for creating intelligent actuators with biomimetic properties.
- The strategy of using sacrificial coordination bonds and lignin provides a sustainable and effective approach for high-performance artificial muscle fabrication.
- This work highlights a facile method for creating advanced materials with potential applications in robotics, prosthetics, and soft actuators.
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