Scientists Develop Artificial Muscles

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TradeArabia.Com reports that scientists have developed "bionic" muscles. The article states:

Scientists have developed artificial, super-strength muscles which are powered by alcohol and hydrogen.

And they could eventually be used to make more advanced prosthetic limbs, say researchers at University of Texas, said a BBC report.

Writing in Science, the researchers say these artificial muscles are 100 times more powerful than the body's own.

They said they could even be used in 'exoskeletons' to give superhuman strength to certain professions such as firefighters, soldiers and astronauts.

Two types of muscle are being investigated by US researchers at the Nanotech Institute at the University of Texas in Dallas, working with colleagues from South Korea.

Both release the chemical energy of fuels, such as hydrogen and alcohol, while consuming oxygen.

Obviously artificial "muscles" 100 times stronger than normal muscles would be tremendously useful to the designers of powered exoskeletons. But they also imply rapid progress towards biomechanical muscles sufficiently elegant to be integrated into the human body, or a radically modified bionic body (such as a "full body conversion" cyborg). The latter option would be less concerned with issues of toxicity, immune system rejection, etc. But then, as at least one science fiction character has said, "You go that route, and before you know it you're a brain in a jar."

But then again, there are quite a few people who wouldn't object to that fate, if their brain were nigh immortal and their sensory capacities and virtual simulations were sufficiently fine-grained and realistic.

It's all a matter of choices. And rather than prejudging any of them, we'd much rather lay them out clearly in front of people, and let them decide for themselves what future they'd prefer. If not several.


Cyber
Future Imperative