Researchers at South Korea’s Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology (UNIST) have engineered a cutting-edge artificial muscle that is as soft as human skin yet highly durable.

This innovative magnetic composite muscle can switch from soft to rigid states, achieving stiffness that is 2 700 times greater than traditional materials. Capable of handling loads on par with the weight of automobiles, the artificial muscle holds potential for applications in robotics, wearable technology and medical devices.

Led by Professor Hoon Eui Jeong, the UNIST team combined ferromagnetic particles and shape memory polymers to achieve flexibility and strength.

The engineered material allows the muscle to be remotely controlled via magnetic fields, while the polymers enable shape adaptability in response to stimuli like heat or light. Together, they create a versatile material that can handle tensile and compressive forces thousands of times its weight.

The muscle’s design includes a double-layer structure with a vibration-damping hydrogel layer, providing stability and reducing vibrations even at high speeds. It also boasts impressive energy efficiency, converting 90.9% of input energy into useful work.

Professor Jeong noted that this breakthrough could support a wide variety of applications, enabling precise movements such as bending, elongation and object manipulation.

“This research opens avenues for transformative applications across diverse sectors, driven by mechanical properties and performance that transcend the limitations of existing artificial muscles,” he explained.