Physical and chemical awareness from sensing polymeric artificial muscles. Experiments and modeling

Engineers, scientists and designers have been dreaming for decades of artificial motors sensing by themselves both surrounding and internal conditions, mimicking the proprioception, or consciousness of human beings. Here we review the state of the art of macroscopic artificial muscles based on electrochemical reactions, which drive conformational (basic molecular motors) and macroscopic (swelling/shrinking) movements in conducting polymers, sensing simultaneously mechanical, thermal or chemical perturbations. One reaction drives one motor and several sensors working simultaneously in one physically uniform device with two connecting wires that include both, actuating (current) and sensing (potential or consumed energy) magnitudes. The artificial system computer-generator/wires/muscle mimics the brain/nerves/muscles feedback communication and control. A multifunctional equation, based on electrochemical, mechanical and polymeric principles, quantifies the empirical simultaneous sensing-actuation describing artificial proprioception or awareness. Scientific and technological challenges are presented. Biomimetic polymeric reactions drive multifunctional properties, tools and devices. The theoretical description explains and quantifies aspects of an emerging artificial consciousness.