Hi i am a biology major and don't know a great deal about mechanics. So i am wondering if it is possible to use electromagnets to function as muscle. It would work i think by constructing a chain of electro magnets aligned so that the opposite poles face each other. The flexed state of this "muscle" would be when the magnets are all touching and the relaxed state would be when they are pulled apart, but still connected via elastic bands. My chief concern is whether the strength of the muscle would be greater than its weight and the weight of the power source and also whether sufficiently small but efficient magnets could even be constructed.
I have tried to verbally explain this to people i know, but usually i have to draw them a picture so if this doesn't make sense please let me know.