Artificial Muscles May Pave Way for Superhuman Exoskeletons, Robots
From: Rehab Management - 02/26/2014

Newly engineered thermal-powered artificial muscles, created from fishing
line and sewing thread, may have a variety of future applications including
in superhuman exoskeletons and humanoid robot companions for older adults. 
The artificial muscles can lift 100 times more weight and generate 100 times
higher mechanical power than human muscles of the same length and weight,
developers say.

The muscles could be used to produce superhuman strength in applications that
include exoskeletons and robots. Independently operated coiled polymer
muscles with a diameter less than a human hair may provide the opportunity
for lifelike facial expressions to humanoid companion robots for older
adults. They could also hold promise in devices designed to communicate the
sense of touch from sensors on a remote robotic hand to a human hand.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.rehabpub.com/2014/02/artificial-muscles-may-pave-way-superhuman-exoskeletons-robots/

Links:
Researchers Create Powerful Muscles From Fishing Line, Thread
http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2014/2/21-28701_Researchers-Create-Powerful-Muscles-From-Fishing-L_story-wide.html

Fishing Lines and Threads Used to Spin Powerful Artificial Muscles (with
  video 0:44)
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/6127/20140221/artificial-muscle-made-fishing-line-thread-100-times-stronger-real.htm