Published on 05/29/2006
Can the realm of superheroes finally be bridged with the discovery of methanol-powered artificial muscles? Nanotechnologists from the University of Texas have developed a couple of chemically powered artificial muscles that can generate up to 100 times the force of a natural musicle of similar size. The first muscle is constructed from a nickel-titanium shape-memory wire coated in a platinum catalyst that contracts when fumes of hydrogen, oxygen, and methanol pass over it to cause a reaction. The second artificial muscle works the same way, consisting of carbon nanotube sheets coated in a catalyst. Does this mean we can leap over buildings in a single jump ala Hulk?