Dr. Qibing Pei - Muscle, Heal Thyself

It's too early to think about bulking up with the artificial muscles that scientists like Qibing Pei of UCLA's Materials Science and Engineering Department in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have been working on for years. But researchers are fantasizing that the rubber-like material, called electroactive polymers, may one day power small, energy-efficient robots, turn your shoes into power generators that can keep your iPod or cell phone going, power your car windows and adjust your car seats, and help keep a weak heart pumping.

Oh, and one more super-powered thing: When it tears, an artificial muscle heals itself.

See the full article at the UCLA Magazine, and related article at Discovery News.