Unlike current robots, Terminator-like droids of the future will be made with 'artificial muscles' that have the unique ability to repair any damage.

That's according to researchers in Colorado who have created artificial muscles that are stronger, quicker and more efficient than biological muscle.

Despite having superhuman strength, they can also be used to handle delicate objects without damaging them.

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Unlike current robots, Terminator-like droids of the future will be made with 'artificial muscles' that have the unique ability to repair any damage. The artificial muscles are stronger, quicker and more efficient than biological muscle

HOW IT WORKS HASEL (hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic) actuators are soft structures that react to applied voltage with a wide range of motions. It utilises a special 'electrically insulating liquid' which is activated by application of a voltage. One iteration consists of a donut-shaped shell filled with an electrically insulating liquid (such as canola oil) and is hooked up to a pair of opposing electrodes. A second method sandwiches a layer of the special liquid between several layers of highly stretchable ionic conductors and expands and contracts linearly upon electrical activation. The third method uses three small rectangular pouches filled with the liquid and when triggered, they contract. Advertisement

Christoph Keplinger, senior author and assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder, said: 'We draw our inspiration from the astonishing capabilities of biological muscle.'

The researchers have created three different devices to demonstrate the uses of their artificial muscles.

One iteration consists of a donut-shaped shell filled with an electrically insulating liquid (such as canola oil) and is hooked up to a pair of opposing electrodes.

When a voltage is applied through the electrodes, the electrically insulating liquid is displaced and changes the shape and structure of the surrounding membrane.

Previous attempts to use this technology had resulted in 'catastrophic' failure due to electrical damage.

The electrically insulating liquid used in this study has the ability to instantly regain its insulating properties and heal any damage caused by high voltage.

The scientists placed several of the artificial muscles opposite each other to achieve a gripping effect.

Another method sandwiches a layer of the special liquid between several layers of highly stretchable ionic conductors which expands and contracts upon electrical activation.

This method was used to lift a gallon of water and throw a baseball.

The use of a liquid insulating layer enables the muscle to self-heal when exposed to electrical damage.

The structures, called HASEL actuators, manipulate an electrically insulating liquid and are capable of handling delicate objects such as a raw egg or a raspberry. Applying a voltage controls the movement of the liquid and the shape of the muscles

A donut-shaped shell filled with an electrically insulating liquid (such as canola oil) is hooked up to a pair of opposing electrodes. When a voltage is applied through the electrodes, the electrically insulating liquid is displaced and changes the shape and structure

'The ability to create electrically powered soft actuators that lift a gallon of water at several times per second is something we haven't seen before.

'These demonstrations show the exciting potential for HASEL,' said Eric Acome, a doctoral student in the Keplinger group and the lead author of the paper.

The third method is most applicable for robotics and uses three small rectangular pouches filled with the liquid and when triggered, they contract far quicker than biological muscle.

One method sandwiches a layer of the special liquid between several layers of highly stretchable ionic conductors which expands and contracts upon electrical activation. This method was used to lift a gallon of water and throw a baseball

These pouches are made from the same cheap material used in crisp packets.

'We can make these devices for around ten cents, even now,' said Nicholas Kellaris, also a doctoral student in the Keplinger group and the co-author of the study.

'The materials are low-cost, scalable and compatible with current industrial manufacturing techniques.'

The work was done in two studies published in Science and Science Robotics.