Scientists Create Artificial Muscle That’s Stronger Than Human Muscle

July 14, 2022 – Scientists from UCLA and nonprofit SRI International are experimenting with a strong, stretchy polymer to create an artificial muscle they describe as stronger and more flexible than human muscle.

Polymers are natural or synthetic substances made up of large molecules and are building blocks of many minerals and human-made materials. In this case, researchers used electroactive polymers, which are polymers that change shape or size when stimulated with electricity. They’ve become darlings of the engineering world and are now being used in technology ranging from robot fish to dust wipers

UCLA researchers developed the muscle material out of dielectric elastomers, a type of electroactive polymer, and introduced a new process for building fake muscle that they hope will one day be applied in soft robotics, and even human implants.

“We're really excited about this new material,” says Qibing Pei, PhD, an author of the study and a UCLA professor of materials science and engineering. “At its maximum performance, this artificial muscle is way more powerful than a human muscle.”