Abstract: Polymer and nanotube-based actuators that include a thermochromic coating is disclosed. The actuators include a thermochromic material applied to a surface of the core fiber or the conductive element. Upon heating the actuator, the thermochromic coating undergoes a color transition to indicate a pre-determined temperature correlated to a rated critical temperature, important temperature of the actuator components, or a level of actuation.

Abstract: An actuator device that includes a first fiber, a conducting material, and a coating. The coating coats the first fiber or the conducting material. The coating may also provide moisture protection, UV protection, thermal insulation and thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Cooling by a twist-untwist process, by a stretch-release process for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled yarns or fibers, and methods and systems thereof. High mechanocaloric cooling results from release of inserted twist or from stretch release for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled fibers, including natural rubber fibers, NiTi wires, and polyethylene fishing line. Twist utilization can increase cooling and cooling efficiencies. A cooler using twist insertion and release can be shorter and smaller in volume than a cooler that requires a large elastomeric elongation. The cooler system can be utilized in mechanochromic textiles and remotely readable tensile and torsional sensors.

Abstract: An actuator device that includes a first actuating segment of an artificial muscle fiber, where one end of the first actuating segment is connected to a first terminal and the other end of the first actuating segment is connected to a second terminal. The device also includes a second actuating segment of an artificial muscle fiber, where one end of the second actuating segment is connected to a third terminal and the other end of the second actuating segment is connected to a fourth terminal. The device also includes a paddle disposed on both the first and second actuating segments and a heating provision disposed on the first and second actuating segments. The heating provision independently provides energy in the form of heat to the first and second actuating segments, and the actuator device moves rotates the paddle to a desired position through activating the first or second actuating segments.

Abstract: An actuator and method of manufacturing an actuator that includes a core fiber with polymers aligned along the length of the core fiber, and a wire that is wound around and fixed to the core fiber. The winding of the wire is engineered based on the torsional actuation. Upon heating the core fiber, the wire impedes radial expansion of the core fiber and converts the radial expansion into a torsional actuation.

Abstract: An actuator device that includes a conducting material and at least one fuse incorporated into the conducting material is disclosed. The at least one fuse may stop current flow for temperatures above a specific temperature. The actuator device may also include a series of electronics that determine whether the actuating device has blown the at least one fuse.

Abstract: An electroosmotic pump includes: a first carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn tube: a second CNT yarn tube; and a median tube. The first CNT yarn tube is fastened to one end of the median tube in a first connection portion. The second CNT yarn tube is fastened to another end of the median tube in a second connection portion. The first and second connection portions are sealed such that, a fluid cannot leak out through the first and second connection portions. Further, at least a portion of the inner surface of the median tube has a surface charge.

Abstract: A hydraulic muscle comprises a hollow carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn tube comprising: a plurality of CNT sheets twisted and wrapped in form of a hollow tube; and a binding agent infiltrated in the plurality of CNT sheets that binds the plurality of the CNT sheets together. A method of manufacturing a hydraulic muscle comprises: twisting and wrapping a plurality of carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets around a core fiber; infiltrating a binding agent in between the plurality of CNT sheets, wherein the binding agent binds the plurality of the CNT sheets together; and removing the core fiber from the plurality of CNT sheets.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube (CNT) artificial muscle valve includes a hollow CNT tube including: a plurality of CNT sheets wrapped in the form of a hollow tube; and a guest material disposed between the CNT sheets and that permeates the CNT sheets. At least one portion of the hollow CNT tube collapses in response to a pressure of a fluid in the hollow CNT tube exceeding a predetermined pressure. The at least one portion of the hollow CNT tube collapses because the at least one portion of the hollow CNT tube generates a torque non-uniformity relative of a remaining portion of the hollow CNT tube.

Abstract: An artificial muscle tentacle and method for manufacturing an artificial muscle tentacle, and a computer readable medium for controlling an artificial muscle tentacle are disclosed. The artificial muscle tentacle includes two spacers and a central core that connects the two spacers. The artificial muscle tentacle also includes at least two Z-Twist actuators and at least two S-Twist actuators. The Z-Twist actuators and the S-Twist actuators are disposed around the central core and in between the two spacers connecting the two spacers. The actuation of one or more of the Z-Twist actuators and the S-Twist actuators actuates the artificial muscle tentacle.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube (CNT) muscle device includes a first CNT yarn. The first CNT yarn includes: one or more first CNT sheets wrapped in the form of a tube; and a first guest actuation material infiltrating the one or more first CNT sheets.

Abstract: A muscle sleeve includes: a sleeve-formed fabric; a plurality of first actuating muscles disposed next to each other and in parallel with each other on a first side of the sleeve-formed fabric; a plurality of second actuating muscles disposed next to each other and in parallel with each other on a second side of the sleeve-formed fabric; a plurality of fasteners that secure ends of the first and second actuating muscles to the fabric; and a crimp secured to the fabric.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for manufacturing an apparatus for supplying a sweeping motion for a device such as a camera are disclosed. The apparatus includes a stationary rod and a rotational rod arranged parallel to the stationary rod at a fixed distance from the stationary rod. The apparatus includes a device disposed on the rotational rod and a plurality of linear artificial muscle actuators arranged between the stationary and rotational rods and perpendicular to central axes of the stationary and rotational rods. Actuation of a top-portion of the plurality of linear artificial muscle actuators rotates the rotational rod in a first direction, and an actuation of a bottom-portion of the plurality of linear artificial muscle actuators rotates the rotational rod in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus that includes a rectangular frame, a first load bearing conductive support bisecting the rectangular frame lengthwise, and two artificial muscle actuators disposed on the same sides of the rectangular frame as the first load bearing conductive support on opposite sides of the first load bearing conductive support is disclosed. The apparatus includes a non-conductive platform, where the width of the frame is sufficiently wide to prevent the non-conductive platform from touching the sides of the frame when rotated about the axis of the load bearing support. The apparatus includes a device disposed in the center of the non-conductive platform. Individual actuation of the artificial muscle actuators rotates the non-conductive platform about the axis of the first load bearing conductive support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial muscle fiber device includes: tethering an artificial muscle fiber around one or more shape-setting pieces; annealing the artificial muscle fiber so that the artificial muscle fiber will retain specific shapes established by the shape-setting pieces; and removing the shape-setting pieces from the artificial muscle fiber.

Abstract: An actuator device and method of manufacturing the same that includes at least two or more panels disposed in a frame is disclosed. Each of the two or more panels include a first rotationally-actuating artificial muscle fiber section between a first contact point of the frame and a tether point located on the panel and a second rotationally-actuating artificial muscle fiber section between the tether point and a second contact point on the frame. The tether point is approximately halfway across the length of the panel. A first and second muscle support is disposed on the panel between the tether point and the first contact point. The actuator device also includes a synchronization rod attached to the at least two or more panels.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a separable artificial muscle fastener includes: securing one or more muscle loops of an artificial muscle fiber to a substrate such that at least a portion of the one or more muscle loops extends out from the substrate; annealing the artificial muscle fiber to retain the one or more muscle loops; and cutting and removing a portion of the one or more muscle loops to transform the one or more muscle loops into one or more muscle hooks. When the one or more muscle hooks are engaged with one or more holders, actuating the one or more muscle hooks disengages the one or more muscle hooks from the one or more holders.

Abstract: An actuator includes a plurality of artificial muscle fibers and at least one conducting material. The at least one conducting material electrically stimulates the plurality of artificial muscle fibers during activation of the actuator. An actuator device includes at least one artificial muscle fiber and at least one high-strength creep-resistant fiber.

Abstract: An actuator device that includes a conducting material and at least one fuse incorporated into the conducting material is disclosed. The at least one fuse may stop current flow for temperatures above a specific temperature. The actuator device may also include a series of electronics that determine whether the actuating device has blown the at least one fuse.

Abstract: Methods and a device for the continuous manufacturing of artificial muscle actuator device fibers are disclosed. The method includes: threading an untwisted fiber along the axis of a tube and inside the tube that includes a heating means to raise the localized temperature of a cross-section of the tube to a predetermined temperature; providing a tension on the untwisted fiber; and twisting the untwisted fiber while the fiber is within the tube.