IONIC POLYMER SENSORS AND ACTUATORS

• US 20020039620A1
• Filed: 02/26/1999
• Published: 04/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mohsen Shahinpoor
• Original Assignee: Mohsen Shahinpoor
• Inventors: MOJARRAD, MEHRAN, SHAHINPOOR, MOHSEN
• Granted Patent: US 6,475,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/2.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0894 Muscles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5066 Muscles
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/02 servo-actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 18/06 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1075 with muscles or tendons
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1095 chemically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2027/7266 actuated by actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/72 Means acting on blades
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 9/00 Adjustable control surfaces or members, e.g. rudders trimming stabilising surfaces B64C5/10
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/005 Electro-chemical actuators; Actuators having a material for absorbing or desorbing gas, e.g. a metal hydride; Actuators using the difference in osmotic pressure between fluids; Actuators with elements stretchable when contacted with liquid rich in ions, with UV light, with a salt solution
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/30 Wing lift efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12486 Laterally noncoextensive components [e.g., embedded, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12535 with additional, spatially distinct nonmetal component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12569 Synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12771 Transition metal-base component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12875 Platinum group metal-base component

Abstract

Ion exchange membrane-based sensors, actuators and sensor/actuators and methods of making same for applications requiring sensing, actuating and controlling displacement. Sensors, actuators, and sensor/actuators are useful in biological as well as other applications. Encapsulation of the sensors, actuators, or sensor/actuators further increases the utility of the present invention. Devices according to the present invention made using lithium are preferred over those made using only sodium.

Claims

1. A sensing device comprising:

an ion exchange, lithium-treated membrane; and

a metallic coating on said membrane forming at least one electrode wherein bending of said membrane generates electrical potential between said at least one electrode and another point.

2. A sensing device comprising:

an ion exchange membrane having a length defining a relative path wherein said membrane comprises at least two parts fixed to positions along said path; and

a metallic coating on said membrane forming at least one electrode wherein bending of said membrane displaces at least one part of said membrane, at a position between said at least two fixed positions, thereby generating an electrical potential between said at least one electrode and another point.

3. A sensing device comprising:

an ion exchange membrane having a length defining a relative path wherein said membrane comprises at least one part fixed to a position along said path; and

a metallic coating on said membrane forming at least one electrode wherein bending of said membrane to displace at least one part of said membrane from said path by at least 1% of said length generates an electrical potential between said at least one electrode and another point.

4. A sensing device comprising:

an ion exchange membrane having a length defining a relative path wherein said membrane comprises at least one part fixed to a position along said path; and

a metallic coating on said membrane forming at least one electrode wherein bending of said membrane to displace at least one part of said membrane from said path by at least 0.1 mm generates an electrical potential between said at least one electrode and another point.

5. A sensing device comprising:

an ion exchange membrane having a material property selected from the group consisting of mechanical, rheological, chemical, thermal, magnetic, and electrical; and

a metallic coating on said membrane wherein said metallic coating forms at least one electrode wherein application of an electrical potential between said at least one electrode and another point alters said material property.

6. A sensing device comprising:

an ion exchange membrane; and

a metallic coating on said membrane wherein said metallic coating forms at least one electrode wherein displacement of said membrane generates a measurable signal useable in a feedback control system.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said feedback control signal feeds back to said sensor device.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said control signal feeds back to said sensor device to maintain said sensor in a predetermined position.

9. A sensing and actuating device comprising:

an ion exchange membrane; and

a metallic coating on said membrane forming at least one electrode.

10. The sensing and actuating device according to claim 9, wherein said device comprises a feedback control system.

11. A sensing device comprising:

an ion exchange membrane;

a metallic coating on said membrane forming at least one electrode; and

a surrounding coating forming an outer surface of said sensor device.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said surrounding coating encapsulates said membrane device.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein said surrounding coating provides biocompatibility with biological material in which said sensing device is placed.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein said surrounding coating protects a pharmacological material.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein said surrounding coating permits transport of at least one member selected from the group consisting of mass transport and energy transport.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein said surrounding coating comprises a non-porous material.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said surrounding coating encapsulates said membrane device.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein said surrounding coating permits transport of at least one member selected from the group consisting of mass transport and energy transport.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein said surrounding coating comprises a non-porous material.

17. A actuating device comprising:

an ion exchange membrane;

a metallic coating on said membrane forming at least one electrode; and

a surrounding coating forming an outer surface of said actuator device.