In the heart of Denmark, a team of researchers is rewriting the rules of biomechanics. Led by the visionary Professor Anne Ladegaard Skov of the Technical University of Denmark, these scientists created something extraordinary: artificial muscles made of silicone threads, so thin they can be woven into a normal piece of clothing. But don't let appearances fool you: these tiny threads can lift 200 times their weight.
We are talking about a technology that could redefine the concept of “smart clothes”, transforming a simple blouse into a powerful support for those with mobility problems. It is biomechanics that merge with fashion, science that enters our wardrobe. Do you want to know how these “super-muscles” could change the lives of millions of people? Let's watch together, calmly.
The biomechanical revolution of silicone fibers
Professor Skov and her team have performed a real miracle of biomechanics. They created elastomeric silicone fibers that perfectly imitate the structure of our muscles. But how exactly do these artificial muscles work?
The secret lies in a thin thread of silicone with an internal cavity through which a conductive liquid flows. When an electric current is applied, just as our brain does when it sends a signal to the muscles, the fibers contract.
The result? A movement that can lift up to 200 times the weight of the wire itself.
I am fascinated by how this technology mimics nature so closely. It is as if we have miniaturized our muscles and made them wearable. Biomechanics have never been so close to our daily lives.
From science fiction to everyday wardrobe
The goal of Skov's team is ambitious: create garments that can give the wearer the strength to lift five extra kilos. It may not seem like much, but think about it: it's the equivalent of a half-full grocery bag. For those with mobility issues, it could mean the difference between being dependent on others and managing your own daily activities.
Professor Skov envisions the final product as a kind of wetsuit or thick sports shirt. In the sleeves, artificial muscles would ensure that the arms lower when the current is turned on, for example by a button, or a pulse from an app, and rise again when it is turned off.
The challenges of textile biomechanics
Despite the exciting progress, the research team still has some hurdles to overcome. One of the main ones is making the material stronger. Silicone alone is too brittle, so the researchers are trying to combine it with natural proteins.
Initially, the idea was to use the spider silk, but the waiting times for this material are still long. So, in a stroke of genius, they decided to experiment with gelatin. Surprisingly, it turned out to be very effective.
“We found that we could make gelatin behave differently depending on how we heat-treat it. We now expect to soon be able to 3D-print muscle fibers with gelatin inside them,” Skov explains.
Design: meeting point with fashion
Another fascinating aspect of this project is how it combines science with textile design. Skov’s team is poring over weaving books and knitting patterns to find the optimal product design.
Whether it's woven or knitted, the patterns you use, and the fabric you combine the muscle structures with, all affect the effectiveness of the artificial muscles.
This interdisciplinary approach seems brilliant to me. Between the professions of the future which do not exist today, we could witness the birth of a new professional figure: the biomechanical designer. A perfect example of how science and art can merge to create innovative solutions.
The Future of Wearable Biomechanics
The potential for this technology is immense. Skov’s team envisions the final version as a “support suit,” primarily for the elderly. By giving them extra strength, they could better manage at home and require less home care.
But the applications don’t stop there. This technology could also open up new job opportunities for women in sectors where heavy physical labor is currently a barrier.
Democratizing physical force, making millions of people more autonomous and independent.
Biomechanics is entering our wardrobe, and with it a future of possibilities that until yesterday seemed like science fiction. Clothes with super-muscles are no longer a distant dream, but a reality in the making. Are you ready to wear the force?
