Electrochemically driven carbon nanotube (CNT) muscles provide an alternative approach to meet the growing need for fast, powerful, large-stroke artificial muscles for applications ranging from robotics and heart pumps to morphing clothing. “This polymer coating converts the normal bipolar actuation of carbon nanotube yarns to unipolar actuation, where the muscle actuates in one direction over the entire stability range of the electrolyte. “Previous yarn muscles cannot use the full stability range of the electrolyte,” said Baughman, a corresponding author of the study. Incorporation of this polymer guest enabled practical operation of a carbon nanotube muscle from high temperatures to below minus 30 degrees Celsius. These dual electrode unipolar muscles were woven to make actuating textiles that could be used for morphing clothing.”The inventors have applied for a provisional U.S. patent on the technology.