TECH – Researchers led by University of Waterloo have created a new class of artificial muscles by reinforcing rubber-like elastomers with tiny pockets of liquid crystals (LCs), advancing the capabilities of soft robotics in strength, flexibility and programmability. The breakthrough combines a soft foundation material known as a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) with dispersed LCs to produce a composite that is dramatically stiffer and stronger than previous materials.
“At Waterloo we realised that what we call artificial muscles are essential for unlocking the true potential of soft robots,” explained Prof. Hamed Shahsavan, who leads the research team. “They allow robots to move flexibly, safely and with precision.” The group found that by integrating small fractions of LCs into the LCE network, the resulting material could achieve up to nine times the strength of the baseline, and could support loads up to 2,000 times their own weight when triggered.
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The mechanism is noteworthy: LCs remain as microscopic inclusions inside the elastomer matrix akin to “chocolate chips in cookie dough” which under deformation act more like solids, stiffening the network. Meanwhile the broader elastomer remains programmable and capable of large shape changes when heated. The improved LCEs deliver output work of nearly 24 J/kg, which is roughly three-times the work capability of average mammalian muscle tissue.
Key advantages of this development include the ability of soft robots to operate in delicate or human-interfacing contexts while delivering meaningful force and endurance. Traditional actuators such as motors or pneumatic pumps tend to be bulky, rigid, and limited in integration within soft systems. In contrast, these new “muscles” maintain softness when idle or un-stimulated, then shift toward stiffness and high output when activated an attribute valuable for mobile robots, wearable devices, medical tools, and collaborative robotic systems.
The team at Waterloo are now focusing on translating the material into practical designs: printable inks compatible with additive manufacturing, scalable architectures for robotic limbs, and real-world durability testing. The flexibility of the system means it may one day appear in robots capable of navigating fragile environments, assisting in surgeries, or adapting their stiffness for heavy-load tasks in industrial settings. These “programmable artificial muscles” signal a shift in the design paradigm of soft robotics from purely compliance-focused devices to fully integrated actuator systems that blend flexibility, strength and control.
