Sukhneet is working in John Madden’s group to develop artificial muscles towards biomedical and assistive device applications. John Madden’s group has previously published on high-strength polymer fibers twisted into coils to make low-cost highly efficient actuators with powerful, large stroke and high stress capabilities. They can contract by almost 50%, lift loads >100 times heavier than human muscle of the same length and mass and generate 5.3 kW of mechanical work per kg of muscle weight, similar to that produced by a jet engine.
She is testing hydrogel, silicone and other coatings to increase heat dissipation without compromising the contractile properties of the artificial muscle fibres. Additionally, she is working on designing an actively contracting compression sock composed of artificial muscle fibres (nylon actuators) that will provide an effective, comfortable and low-cost treatment option for patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).