On January 25th 2017, a team of Swedish researchers at Linkoping University and the University of Boras, announced that they have created an electroactive "textile muscle," system. The researchers say that they have created actuators, or devices, that convert energy into motion, which can be used to turn fabric into artificial musculature. They believe that their technology could one day power a new type of exoskeleton.
The way that the process works, is that a lightweight fabric is first coated with an electroative material, just as though you were dyeing it. When the material is dry, a low voltage current is applied to it. This can be done by using a wearable battery. The current then changes the shape of the fabric, which produces force in a particular direction. This causes the individual threads to change volume, while the weave in the fabric amplifies and directs the movement.
Dr. Edwin Jager, associate professor at the Division of Sensor and Actuator Systems at Linkoping University, who led the research team said, "We envision these actuators to be integrated into items of clothing." He also said that the actuators would need to be attached to the body. He said, "This could be in the form of an elastic sleeve similar to the ones currently used to give support for injured joints."
The research team hopes to make adjustments to the fabric and coating that will enable them to design a soft exoskeleton suit that could be used to assist someone in walking. Dr. Jager said, "It is our dream to create exoskeletons that are similar to items of clothing that you can wear under your normal cloths."
No comments:
Post a Comment