Artificial muscles heal themselves

By Cynthia Lee

It's too early to think about bulking up with the artificial muscles that scientists like Qibing Pei of UCLA's Materials Science and Engineering Department in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have been working on for years. But researchers are fantasizing that the rubber-like material, called electroactive polymers, may one day power small, energy-efficient robots, turn your shoes into power generators that can keep your iPod or cell phone going, power your car windows and adjust your car seats, and help keep a weak heart pumping.

Oh, and one more super-powered thing: When it tears, an artificial muscle heals itself.

Here's how it works: When electricity is run through a thin film of the polymer, it expands. When the voltage stops, it contracts. Even better, it also works in reverse: If some mechanical force is applied to change the shape of the material, it unleashes a small current of electricity.

Paul Brochu, a graduate student on Pei's team, is looking into how a flag made of the material might generate electricity as it flaps in the wind. Scientists in Japan are developing a wave energy generator that will use the force of water to push against the "muscle" to generate electricity. Theoretically, shoes with polymer soles could generate electricity when you walk to power your iPod or other mobile devices.

And these abilities have piqued the interest of the private sector and even the military.... Read more at UCLA Magazine.