Different Types of Robotic Artificial Muscles Available in the Industry
A sub-category of artificial muscles is known as robotic artificial muscles that are capable of producing biologically provoked movements. There is an extensive range of movements that these robot systems are capable of doing which includes power-to-weight ratios, inherent compliance, and many others.
These robotic artificial muscles are widely utilized in medical devices or smart textiles. In addition to this, according to the research report of Astute Analytica, the Global Robotic Artificial Muscle Market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% during the forecast period 2022-2023.
There are different types of robotic artificial muscles available in the industry: -
Electroactive polymer
Electroactive polymers are those polymers that are capable of changing shape or size when they are provoked by an electric field. The most well-known electroactive polymer includes electro strictive graft elastomers, piezoelectric polymers, dielectric actuators (DEAs), ferroelectric polymers, and liquid crystal elastomers (LCE).
Ion-based actuation
Ionic electroactive polymers can be actuated via diffusion of ions in an electrolyte solution. Recent examples of ionic electroactive polymers include ionomeric polymer metallic composites (IPMC), poly electrode gels, conductive polymers, electrorheological fluids, and pyro mellitamide gels.
Pneumatic artificial muscles
Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) are used after filling a pneumatic bladder with the help of pressurized air. After using gas pressure on the bladder, isotropic volume expansion appears, but it is restricted by braided wires that are surrounded by the bladder, summarizing the volume expansion to an unbent contraction along with the axis of the actuator.
Pneumatic artificial muscles can be differentiated by their design and operation. Also, pneumatic artificial muscles include hydraulic or pneumatic operation, under pressure or overpressure operation, embedded membranes or braided/netted and rearranging membranes, or stretching membranes.
Thermal actuation
Thermal actuators are mechanical systems that allow the thermally generated contraction and expansion of materials as a tool for the result of motion.
These devices are known as compliant structures, that allow elastic mechanical constraints and elastic deformation that are often designed to strengthen the motion caused by thermal contraction or expansion.
Temperature causes the changes in thermal actuation and that is generally delivered by environmental changes In the context of nanotechnology, thermal actuators are referred to as nanoscale and microscale devices which allows them to mechanically interact with nanoscale structures.
Fishing line
Artificial muscles created from ordinary sewing threads and fishing lines can carry 100 times more weight and also generate 100 times more power than a human muscle. Robotic artificial muscles established on fishing lines already cost orders of magnitude less than carbon nanotube yarn or shape-memory alloy.
Shape-memory alloys
Shape-memory alloys (SMAs) and other alloys like liquid metallic alloys and crystalline elastomers are capable of deforming and then returning to their original shape when they come in connect with heat. They can also work as robotic artificial muscles.
Thermal actuator-based robotic artificial muscles deliver low density, high fatigue strength, heat resistance, and impact resistance large force generation during shape changes. Electrolyte-free artificial muscles are also called "twisted yarn actuators".