Triton 47

Triton 47 › Robotics & automation › After the PhD

Sugar powered actuators (muscles)

· 187 words · 1 min read idea

Index note ATP-like chemical muscles; EPFL HV muscles

Idea of electrically stimulated actuators (muscles), but muscles consume another energy source, such as sugar from ATP, and not rely on EM force magnetic field by electric current. This can solve energy storage issue in robotic application, where robot would just need to eat sugary electrolyte to function.

Yet to search for such works, there are few artificial muscles that use high voltage, for e.g. work from EPFL. But power storage can be an issue in such systems, for it to work for longer periods, actuators derived from chemical energy probably are more viable. Molecular engineering can solve such problems, once it is mapped, and such suitable energy chemical and molecule-actuator-structure pairs are found. Another era would start, where actuation of robots would be normalized, and would be everywhere, and almost ignored because of its oftenness.

Just like activating a field effect transistor, electrical signals would be able to activate the muscle actuator powered by synthesized compatible molecules for its engine. Muscles current life have, are evolved, but not-necessariliy unique, they are a sample from all spaces of actuators, which has multiple possibilities, which are uninnovated, undiscovered.

Original: https://triton7777.wordpress.com/2025/02/16/sugar-powered-actuators-muscles/