Electrostatic linear actuators for an artificial cardiac muscle - Theoretical analysis and basic study using large scale models

Recently Yano proposed a new theory of muscle contraction, termed the electrostatic linear motor model. The model consists of parallel plate capacitors that represent the myosin filament, a slider that represents the actin filament and a battery that represents a metabolic energy supply. Based on this model we derived the theoretical formula for the force generated by the electrostatic linear actuator. Using this formula, we designed and manufactured a unit actuator that has a single capacitor. It generated a force of 6.64 mN at 200 V. To increase the output force generated in the unit area of the actuator, we integrated twenty small unit actuators. The integrated actuator generated 42.3 mN at 200 V. Using these results, we designed a hollow fiber type linear actuator that was 30 cm long. It was expected to generate a pressure of 5 kg/cm² with a stroke of 5 cm.