NeuroMuscles: Pioneering materials open a new path to artificial skeletal muscles

Abstract

Human skeletal muscles possess a delicate structure that enables simultaneous sensing and actuation through neuromuscular fiber bundles. However, most current material designs face challenges in integrating these capabilities within a single fiber bundle and instead rely on centralized systems to process signals between separate sensors and actuators. This preview highlights NeuroMuscles, an innovative artificial neuromuscular fiber bundle based on multilayered microfibers with a self-reinforcing sheath, enabling both proprioception and exteroception as an advancement in the development of next-generation artificial muscles.