Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!sgiblab!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!CS.Arizona.EDU!rainbow.cse.nau.edu!nauvax.ucc.nau.edu!boone
From: boone@nauvax.ucc.nau.edu
Subject: Artificial Muscle
Message-ID: <4FEB94.05292530@nauvax.ucc.nau.edu>
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Organization: Northern Arizona University
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 1994 05:29:25 GMT
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Greetings

     I am familiar with an assortment of linear actuators that in
one way or another mimic the action of muscle:

     solenoids           voice coils    piezo electric
     rams(hyd & pneu)    nitinol        linear motors
     various geared configurations using rotary motors

     Can anyone add to this list?

     I am looking for devices which perform in a manner similar
to muscle:

1.provides linear pulling force (no pushing force)
2.nearly no mechanical resistance when "off"
3.can store elastic potential energy
4.some integral sensing capability

     Are there any artificial muscle devices like this in use?


                   Thanks in advance
 ----------------------------------------------------------------
 Dan Boone                              boone@nauvax.ucc.nau.edu

