Robots could flex muscles that are stronger than steel

March 20, 2009 | Source: New Scientist Tech

University of Texas, Dallas scientists have developed a new type of artificial muscle based on nanotube ribbons that is stronger than steel, stiffer than diamond, and weighs little more than its volume in air.

The nanotubes expand in width by 220% in milliseconds when a voltage is applied and then return to their normal size once it is removed. Collections of those ribbons could act as artificial muscle fibers — for example, to move the limbs of a walking robot.