Electrochemical methods, devices, and structures

• US 7,994,686 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2007
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Baetz, Georg, Kuri, Fernando Tubilla, Chiang, Yet-Ming, Chin, Timothy E., Song, Kyungyeol, Hall, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUDD, MARK OSBORNE
• Application Number:
  US11/796,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20080157713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,566 Days
• Field of Search: 310/311
• US Class Current: 310/311
• 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: H01M 2004/021 Physical characteristics, e.g. porosity, surface area
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4292 Aspects relating to capacity ratio of electrodes/electrolyte or anode/cathode
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/485 of mixed oxides or hydroxides for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiTi2O4 or LiTi2OxFy H01M4/505, H01M4/525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/505 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing manganese for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiMn2O4 or LiMn2OxFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/525 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/587 for inserting or intercalating light metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/409 Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/30 Deferred-action cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The present invention generally provides devices and methods involving electrochemical actuation. The devices may comprise at least one component capable of exhibiting a volumetric or dimensional change upon application of a voltage. In some cases, the volumetric or dimensional change may produce mechanical work. Some embodiments of the invention may provide devices capable of exhibiting high actuation rates and supporting high amounts of stress (e.g., in tensile and/or compressive loading). In some embodiments, the present invention may provide morphing structures that may be useful in applications such as airfoils.

Claims

1. An article, comprising:

at least one electrochemical cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an intercalation species, wherein the electrochemical cell undergoes a volumetric or dimensional change upon the application of a voltage or current; and

a structure including at least one portion constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation so as to impart a different fluid dynamic property to the structure by the volumetric or dimensional change of the at least one electrochemical cell.

2. An article as in claim 1, wherein the structure is an airfoil.

3. An article as in claim 1, wherein the structure is a hull.

4. An article as in claim 1, wherein the structure is a fuselage.

5. An article as in claim 1, wherein the structure is a hydrofoil.

6. An article as in claim 1, wherein the fluid dynamic property is an aerodynamic property.

7. An article as in claim 1, wherein the at least one portion is displaced by a hinge.

8. An article as in claim 1, wherein the at least one portion is not displaced by a hinge.

9. An article as in claim 1, wherein the at least one portion is displaced without movement of immediately adjacent macroscopic portions of the structure relative to one another.