Giant-Stroke, Superelastic Carbon Nanotube Aerogel Muscles

Abstract

Improved electrically powered artificial muscles are needed for generating force, moving objects, and accomplishing work. Carbon nanotube aerogel sheets are the sole component of new artificial muscles that provide giant elongations and elongation rates of 220% and (3.7 x 10(4))% per second, respectively, at operating temperatures from 80 to 1900 kelvin. These solid-state-fabricated sheets are enthalpic rubbers having gaslike density and specific strength in one direction higher than those of steel plate. Actu…