4 ms·

These have been known for some time; just search for "twisted string actuator". I recall doing a literature survey to see how far back the idea went... Here ar

by beambot 13y ago

These have been known for some time; just search for "twisted string actuator". I recall doing a literature survey to see how far back the idea went... Here are a few links... (PDF) http://www.dexmart.eu/fileadmin/dexmart/public_website/downloads/presentations/USAAR-Workshop-A3.pdf http://www.dexmart.eu/fileadmin/dexmart/public_website/downl... http://books.google.com/books?id=cDx8_ug_GGgC&pg=PA95&dq=twisted+string+actuator&hl=en&ei=5-sDTovDOJP3gAeuyfTjDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=twisted%20string%20actuator&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=cDx8_ug_GGgC&pg=PA95&dq=twi... http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=5695720&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fxpls%2Fabs_all.jsp%3Farnumber%3D5695720 http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=569572... There are patents dating back to the 1930s, 1970s, and 1980s. In recent years, this is (again) being actively explored by roboticists. EDIT: My bad! The twisted actuators in this work are using heat (and potentially light / electricity) to expand and contract, not the actually twisting motion.

deleted 13y ago
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scriptproof 13y ago
I believe you have not read the article entirely. The principle is not to twist the line to contract the muscle, that is made with an actuator, the principle is to apply a current to a mechanically twisted fiber to contract it and produce a movement.
- beambot 13y ago
  My mistake! From the PM article: "Also, by blending in conductive wire or wrapping the muscle with a light-absorbing coating, the researchers can control the muscles' movements with electricity and light instead of direct heat." So these are heat-driven actuators (and potentially electricity or light driven). Very cool! Thanks for the clarification. (Also, this isn't at all evident from the Science abstract. I will read full paper tomorrow when I can pierce the paywall.)

by beambot 13y ago

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

scriptproof 13y ago

I believe you have not read the article entirely. The principle is not to twist the line to contract the muscle, that is made with an actuator, the principle is to apply a current to a mechanically twisted fiber to contract it and produce a movement.

beambot 13y ago
My mistake! From the PM article: "Also, by blending in conductive wire or wrapping the muscle with a light-absorbing coating, the researchers can control the muscles' movements with electricity and light instead of direct heat." So these are heat-driven actuators (and potentially electricity or light driven). Very cool! Thanks for the clarification. (Also, this isn't at all evident from the Science abstract. I will read full paper tomorrow when I can pierce the paywall.)