Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Mechanical Testing Of Artificial Muscles, Maggie Walsh

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This document focuses on the design and fabrication of a low cost instrument to measure the strain of the artificial muscles being researched and developed by Dr. Amanda Murphy and her team at Western Washington University. The instrument utilizes a laser displacement meter to measure the movement of the artificial muscles during actuation. All project objectives and goals were successfully met, and all deliverables completed. Instrument quality and strain testing results are analyzed and recommendations for future work are suggested based on the results of the project.