Conjugated polymer actuator responsive to electrical stimulation

• US 6,936,955 B1
• Filed: 07/30/2001
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Santa Fe Science And Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Santa Fe Science And Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Tilden, Mark W., Mattes, Benjamin R., Smela, Elisabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US09/918,293
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 310/363, 310/800
• US Class Current: 310/363
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 11/006 Motors

Abstract

A conjugated polymer actuator having attached electrodes is described wherein direct electrical stimulation induces changes in the dimensions and mechanical properties thereof without the need for electrolytes or counter electrodes.

Claims

1. An actuator having at least one surface having a larger area than other surfaces thereof and consisting of a conjugated polymeric material, whereby said material expands when an electrical voltage is applied between two locations thereof and contracts when the electrical voltage is reduced, neither of the two locations being coextensive with the at least one surface having a larger area.

2. The actuator as described in claim 1, wherein said conjugated polymeric material comprises doped polyaniline.

3. A method of actuation comprising the step of directly electrically stimulating a conjugated polymeric material having at least one surface having a larger area than other surfaces thereof at two locations thereof, neither of the two locations being coextensive with the at least one surface having a larger area.

4. The method of actuation as described in claim 3, wherein said conjugated polymeric material comprises doped polyaniline.