Journal article
Carbon Fiber-Based Twisted and Coiled Artificial Muscles (TCAMs) for Powered Ankle-Foot Orthoses
Journal of biomechanical engineering, Vol.144(1), 014501
01/01/2022
DOI: 10.1115/1.4051927
Abstract
Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) control the position and motion of the ankle, compensate for weakness, and correct deformities. AFOs can be classified as passive or powered. Powered AFOs overcome the limitations of passive AFOs by adapting their performance to meet a variety of requirements. However, the actuators currently used to power AFOs are typically heavy, bulky, expensive, or limited to laboratory settings. Thus, there is a strong need for lightweight, inexpensive, and flexible actuators for powering AFOs. In this technical brief, carbon fiber/silicone rubber (CF/SR) twisted and coiled artificial muscles (TCAMs) are proposed as novel actuators for powered AFOs. CF/SR TCAMs can lift to 12,600 times their weight with an input power of only 0.025 W cm−1 and are fabricated from inexpensive materials through a low-cost manufacturing process. Additionally, they can provide a specific work of 758 J kg−1 when an input voltage of 1.64 V cm−1 is applied. Mechanical characterization of CF/SR TCAMs in terms of length/tension, tension/velocity, and active-passive length/tension is presented, and results are compared with the performance of skeletal muscles. A gait analysis demonstrates that CF/SR TCAMs can provide the performance required to supplement lower limb musculature and replicate the gait cycle of a healthy subject. Therefore, the preliminary results provided in this brief are a stepping stone for a dynamic AFO powered by CF/SR TCAMs.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Carbon Fiber-Based Twisted and Coiled Artificial Muscles (TCAMs) for Powered Ankle-Foot Orthoses
- Creators
- Parth Kotak - University of IowaJason M Wilken - University of IowaKirsten M Anderson - University of IowaCaterina Lamuta - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of biomechanical engineering, Vol.144(1), 014501
- Publisher
- ASME
- DOI
- 10.1115/1.4051927
- ISSN
- 0148-0731
- eISSN
- 1528-8951
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2022
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical Engineering; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984196532202771
Metrics
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