http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/FutureTech/nanomuscles030218.
html
Was reading ABC news today and came across this article. It says that a
matchstick sized "muscle" is capable of moving 200 g weights with 1/5
the energy consumption of an equivalent strngth motor. Strength is dependent
on fiber diameter and the company says that increasing the fiber diameter from
50 microns to 150 microns would increase the lifting
power 9-fold.
The previous limiting factor to SMA (Smart Metal Alloys) was fatigue or stress
failures that lead to inconsistent contraction after only 1000 uses. More
refined particles and techniques have lead this company to produce a muscle
that will contract one million times.
Can Battletech "myomer muscles" be far behind?
--Binhan
On top of this article I am surprised at how many people have missed the whole
Segue thing, remember "IT" or Ginger? The gyroscoping technology involved in
that is a huge step towards walker tech as well, imho.
Jason
[quoted original message omitted]
Add to the 'walkers' how bonkers the robot builders are going to go when this
stuff becomes available from places like "robots.com":o)
I don't know if anyone caught one of the "Robotica" episodes last month, but
the (almost) run away champion was a 'walker' bot that stunned everyone.
It had a top speed of 30mph+, and was ultra-manuverable as a two-wheeled
robot. (Two 'feet' actually, which made handling a bit problematical, but it
was so fast the competition couldn't keep up. Litterally:o)
It blew through the first three rounds to the final and only lost because the
opposition 'lifter' bot hooked under it and flipped it out of the ring. (In
record time, 6 seconds I believe:o)
The major 'flaw' was that the 'feet' wore out rapidly. (They had a spare set
but it would have taken to long to change them)
The general consensus was that if it had had: 1. An actual 'weapon' such as a
lifter arm... 2. If it had had four, instead of two feet for better control..
3. Had massed more than it did....
It probably WOULD have won.:o)
Randy