Methanol-powered artificial muscles start to flex

March 17, 2006 | Source: NewScientist.com news service

Methanol-powered artificial muscles have been created by researchers aiming to create battery-free robotic limbs and prosthetics.

The first type of muscle is made from a nickel-titanium shape-memory wire coated in a platinum catalyst. The team’s second artificial muscle is made from sheets of carbon nanotubes, coated in a catalyst.