Superheroes have become such an essential part of pop culture, captivating us with powers far beyond what we know as humanly possible. You likely have watched a superhero movie, read a comic book, or even seen superheroes in your front yard when handing candy out for Halloween. As a kid, I marveled at the idea of having my own powers. As a teenager, I watched Marvel movies all the time because it was so interesting to see made-up powers and the creativity behind them. Now, as a STEM college student, I am learning more about the amazing creations science and technology can bring to life. Now, I wonder: could these powers exist one day, and if so, how close are we to giving humans these abilities? This series will explore how close we are to achieving “superpowers” through advancements in STEM—from super strength to telekinesis and even invisibility. Each post will dive into science and technology bringing us closer to making these powers a reality.
Super Strength
Heroes like the Hulk, Superman, Wonder Woman, and many others have been portrayed as having super strength. One that I find particularly interesting is Iron Man— a regular human who, through science and technology, built a suit that granted him super strength and other powers. The idea of using science to create such technology is no longer just fiction; in fact, it’s becoming a real possibility to give humans abilities beyond natural limits. This is happening today through the development of exoskeletons.
Exoskeleton
Engineers have been working hard to create exoskeletons that give their wearers an enhanced level of strength. It is stated that “Combining the principles of hydraulic pressure and computer simulation, these suits allow the wearer to complete feats of strength previously confined to comic books and the silver screen” (Osborne & Osborne, 2017). Exoskeletons do not have a mind of their own and are not controlled remotely, they are a tool to aid in human tasks. The exoskeleton responds to its “human operator” and their movements. One such exoskeleton, the HAL-5, assists users by reducing fatigue, supporting static weight, and reinforcing the human frame (Osborne & Osborne, 2017). Meanwhile, Sarcos Robotics has developed the Sarcos Guardian XO, a full-body robotic exoskeleton that enables users to lift up to 200 pounds with ease (Ackerman, 2022).
Real-World Applications
Around the world, there are a vast number of exoskeletons being developed, all for different purposes and demographics. Some exoskeletons are built to help elderly individuals with tasks that require strength, while others assist soldiers in the field with activities like crawling, running, and carrying heavy objects. This technology not only boosts productivity but also enhances worker safety when performing labor-intensive tasks. Sarcos Robotics claims that a single worker with the Guardian XO can handle the workload of 4-10 people. According to OSHA regulations, the recommended one-person load is 51 pounds, and that number is reduced if the object must be lifted repeatedly, held for extended periods, or moved over a distance. However, with the Guardian XO, a worker can lift four times that weight, continuously, at speeds of up to 3 mph (Ackerman, 2022).
Challenges
One of the biggest obstacles to advancing and commercializing exoskeletons is the high power demand. Operating these suits requires a significant amount of energy due to the high-pressure requirements. The HAL-5, for example, is battery-powered but only lasts around 2.5 hours on a full charge (Osborne & Osborne, 2017). Finding a more efficient or portable power source could make exoskeleton technology more practical and widely accessible.
Conclusion
It is fascinating to see how much science has advanced the ability to have “superpowers”. Thinking about where science and technology could go from here is even more interesting. There is still a long way to go in the quest to give humans super strength, but it can no longer be said that it is impossible to do so.
References
Ackerman, E. (2022, August 18). Sarcos demonstrates powered exosuit that gives workers super strength. IEEE Spectrum. https://spectrum.ieee.org/sarcos-guardian-xo-powered-exoskeleton
Osborne, M., & Osborne, M. (2017, November 13). Engineering Super Strength: Combining man and Machine – USC Viterbi School of Engineering. USC Viterbi School of Engineering – USC Viterbi School of Engineering. https://illumin.usc.edu/engineering-super-strength-combining-man-and-machine/