Electroactive polymers
DCFirst Claim
1. A transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, the transducer comprising:
- at least two electrodes;
a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus at most about 100 MPa; and
a layer laminated to at least a portion of one of the polymer and the at least two electrodes.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to transducers, their use and fabrication. The transducers convert between mechanical and electrical energy. Some transducers of the present invention include a pre-strained polymer. The pre-strain improves the conversion between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention also relates to devices including an electroactive polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer included in a transducer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, the transducer comprising:
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at least two electrodes; a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus at most about 100 MPa; and a layer laminated to at least a portion of one of the polymer and the at least two electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, the transducer comprising:
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at least two electrodes; a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus at most about 100 MPa; and a layer mechanically coupled to at least a portion of one of the polymer and the at least two electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energy, the transducer comprising:
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at least two electrodes; a polymer arranged in a manner which causes a portion of the polymer to deflect in response to a change in electric field and/or arranged in a manner which causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of the polymer, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus at most about 100 MPa; and a layer mechanically coupled to at least a portion of the polymer and disposed between a first electrode of the at least two electrodes that is configured to electrically communicate with a first surface of the polymer and a second electrode of the at least two electrodes that is configured to electrically communicate with a second surface of the polymer on an opposite side of the polymer relative to the first surface, wherein the layer increases breakdown strength of the transducer.
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Specification