According to the research team, SMAs have the highest energy density among known actuator technologies, delivering powerful movement in petite sizes. The scientists built robotic grippers using bundles of ultra-fine SMA wires that act like artificial muscles. When an electric pulse is applied, the wires contract, creating motion.
The team developed a jaw and vacuum gripper to test the technology. The former is pincer-like, quickly and precisely holding workpieces without continuous power use. The latter consists of flexible fingers with suction cups. It creates vacuum suction by flipping a small disc controlled by SMA muscles, requiring electricity only for a short pulse.