Scientists stretch their muscle with StretchSense

The StretchSense energy harvesting system that can turn human movement into electrical energy. The technology was developed by the Biomimetics Lab. Photo: Mark Ryan

Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas 2016 where the musician Kevin Doucette is using smart gloves for an air guitar performance of Jai Ho Photo: StretchSense

Kevin Doucette is performing using smart gloves that include StretchSense sensors, for a virtual musical instrument. Photo: Intel

The face of “Trevor the Caterpillar”; a crawling robot produced by the Biomimetics Lab that doesn’t use any hard control electronics. All the control is in the robot’s rubbery membrane. Photo: Markus Henke

The Biomimetics Lab’s dragonfly ‘Jule’ that uses electroactive polymer artificial muscles for flapping its wings. Photo: Godfrey Boehnke

New York Fashion Week 2016 where customized silicone StrechSense sensors were used for triggering luminescence in garments. Fashion design by Becca McCharen, CEO of Chromat. Photos: StretchSense

A Biomimetics Lab electroactive polymer energy harvesting experiment. Tom McKay and Iain Anderson. Photo: Godfrey Boehnke

An electroactive polymer motor developed by the Biomimetics Lab. Tony Tse and Iain Anderson. Photo: Godfrey Boehnke

Koray Atalag launches the human powered, fin propelled submarine “Taniwha” with Chris Walker at the controls. Photo: Iain Anderson