TaiCrunch Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Artificial muscles for superhuman soldiersJo Revill Sunday March 19, 2006 The Observer Scientists have developed artificial, super-strength muscles powered by alcohol and hydrogen, which could eventually be used to make much better prosthetic limbs. The artificial muscles are 100 times more powerful than the body's own, and researchers believe they could be modified one day to use in 'exoskeletons', to give superhuman strength to certain professions such as firefighters, soldiers and astronauts. Two types of muscle are being investigated by US researchers at the Nanotech Institute at the University of Texas in Dallas, working with colleagues from South Korea. Writing in the journal Science, they explain that both kinds release the chemical energy of fuels, such as hydrogen and alcohol, while consuming oxygen. The muscles are replicating the first stage in breathing, by taking in oxygen. The existing versions of these artificial muscles are driven by batteries. However, neither of the types developed by researchers looks even slightly like a normal muscle - they are made up of wires, cantilevers and glass bottles. Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quigley0 Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 hmm, I think my muscles are already powered on alcohol!!! Get a little Vodka in me, and I am superman! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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