Smart Materials for Artificial Tendons in Prosthetic Hands: A Review of Materials, Functions, and Applications

Authors

  • Linghui Cheng Institute of Intelligent Rehabilitation Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, 200093, China; Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, 200093, China Author
  • Tian Yang Institute of Intelligent Rehabilitation Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, 200093, China; Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, 200093, China Author
  • Zheng Deng Institute of Intelligent Rehabilitation Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, 200093, China; Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, 200093, China Author
  • Qiaoling Meng Institute of Intelligent Rehabilitation Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, 200093, China; Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, 200093, China Author
  • Sujiao Li Institute of Intelligent Rehabilitation Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, 200093, China; Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, 200093, China Author
  • Hongliu Yu Institute of Intelligent Rehabilitation Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, 200093, China; Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, 200093, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64229/4mmf3k07

Keywords:

Smart tendons, Tendon-driven prosthetic hands, Smart materials, Multi-material composites

Abstract

The introduction of smart materials is driving a paradigm shift in artificial tendon design for prosthetic hands__transforming them from passive force-transmission elements into active units capable of actuation, sensing, stiffness modulation, and self-repair. This addresses long-standing limitations of conventional tendons, such as creep, nonlinearity, and absence of intrinsic perception. Here we review recent progress in smart-material-based artificial tendons for tendon-driven prosthetic hands, focusing on shape memory alloys (SMAs), smart fibers, electroactive polymers (EAPs), magnetorheological/electrorheological (MR/ER) materials, self-healing polymers, and multi-material composites. Among these, SMAs represent the most mature actuation choice, while piezoresistive and piezoelectric fibers enable static tension sensing and dynamic slip detection, respectively; EAPs offer compliant actuation but remain limited by engineering readiness; MR/ER materials enable tunable stiffness and self-healing polymers offer pathways to mitigate fatigue damage. Multi-material composites are increasingly enabling functional integration toward system-level synergy. Nevertheless, key challenges remain in actuation-sensing compatibility, fatigue life under service conditions, miniaturized packaging, and system integration. Critically, no single material simultaneously fulfills actuation, sensing, and stiffness modulation, making multi-material synergy emerge as the most viable pathway toward next-generation smart tendons. Future efforts should prioritize actuation-sensing integration, multi-material composites with adaptive stiffness, and high-durability designs__aiming for synergistic coupling of material functionality with prosthetic actuation, sensing, and control architectures.

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2026-10-29

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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Linghui Cheng, Tian Yang, Zheng Deng, Qiaoling Meng, Sujiao Li, Hongliu Yu (Author)

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How to Cite

Linghui Cheng, Tian Yang, Zheng Deng, Qiaoling Meng, Sujiao Li, & Hongliu Yu. (2026). Smart Materials for Artificial Tendons in Prosthetic Hands: A Review of Materials, Functions, and Applications. Smart Materials and Engineering Applications, 2(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.64229/4mmf3k07