An artificial muscle is being patented by the University of Texas, Dallas (WO 2007/103832). It consists of a shape-memory alloy coated with a platinum catalyst in a device that allows methanol to be drawn along its surface. Exposing that surface to air oxidises the methanol, heating the alloy and making it bend. Cutting the methanol supply returns the alloy to its original shape, says inventor Ray Baughman.
A liquid crystal display that is said to be ideal for making clocks and speedometers in novel non-rectangular shapes has been developed by Toshiba Matsushita Display of Japan. TMD’s trick is to…
