Page 301 - Carbon Nanotube Fibres and Yarns

288 Carbon Nanotube Fibers and Yarns

Fig. 11.10 Schematic diagram of self-powered MWNT yarn actuator deposited with
boronic acid-conjugated hyaluronic acid/cholesterol nanogel for glucose sensing [60].
(Source: J. Lee, S. Ko, C.H. Kwon, M.D. Lima, R.H. Baughman, S.J. Kim, Carbon nanotube yarn
based glucose sensing artificial muscle, Small 12 (15) (2016) 2085–2091.)

11.7 Future prospects

Reported performance metrics of CNT yarn-based actuator, including force
density, power density, peak strain, bandwidth, cycle life, and efficiency, have
exceeded those found in biological muscles. The opportunity to combine
functional guest materials in CNT yarn-based actuators provides a platform
to meet the needs of a wide range of potential applications. However, at the
present time, the high cost of CNT yarns restricts their commercial appli-
cations. Some of the CNT yarn-based actuator devices contain either liquid
or gel electrolytes, or environmentally unstable or even toxic components,
which raises the critical issue of user safety. Further research on CNT yarn-
based actuators should address their feasibility for practical applications.

References
[1] S.M. Mirvakili, I.W. Hunter, Artificial muscles: mechanisms, applications, and challenges,
Adv. Mater. 30 (6) (2018).
[2] U. Kosidlo, M. Omastová, M. Micusik, G. Cirić-Marjanović, H. Randriamahazaka,
T. Wallmersperger, A. Aabloo, I. Kolaric, T. Bauernhansl, Nanocarbon based ionic
actuators—a review, Smart Mater. Struct. 22 (2013) 104022.