A basic thermodynamic cycle for the production of mechanical power from materials that may be made to contract forcibly and reversibly is described. The cycle differs from existing mechanical power cycles which generally employ expanding fluid as working substances. A "contraction turbine" operating on this cycle has been devised, which has collagen fiber as its working substance and salt solution as fuel and produces mechanical work directly from chemical free energy. Direct conversion of chemical to mechanical energy is routinely effected in muscle but not in usual man-made engines.