Working artificial muscles in Japan

1990/05/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza

I

Thanks to a new material discovered by Japanese bees, a breakthrough can be made in transplants and implants. This new material is basically polymer and behaves like a muscle. It is contracted by electric charge.

Scientists intend to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy directly. While muscles make half the energy consumed usable, steam turbines and internal combustion engines only make 30% operational. In addition, artificial muscles are more compact than mechanical motors. All this has aroused a special interest in this research.