We are part of an international team that developed high-strength polymer fibers twisted into coils to make low-cost highly efficient actuators with powerful, large stroke and high stress capabilities, as published in Science. They can contract by almost 50%, lift loads >100 times heavier than human muscle of the same length and mass and generate 5.3 kW of mechanical power per kg of muscle weight, similar to that produced by a jet engine.
Some of our work has been published additionally in:
IEEE Pulse regarding physical principles, and Proceedings of the SPIE regarding operating temperature range and stiffness, as well as variable stiffness and recruitment depending on arrangement.
Thermally contracting nylon fibre