ELECTROCHEMICAL ACTUATOR

• US 20130020906A1
• Filed: 07/05/2012
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Chiang, Yet-Ming, Cima, Michael J., Chin, Timothy E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,604,664 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example

Claims

1-82. -82. (canceled)

83. An electrochemical actuator, comprising:

a negative electrode;

a positive electrode; and

a species formulated to intercalate with or de-intercalate from at least one of the electrodes, the intercalation or de-intercalation of said species producing a change in volume in the actuator, such that at least one of the electrodes displaces from a first orientation to a second orientation upon charge and/or discharge of the electrochemical actuator.

84. The electrochemical actuator of claim 83, wherein the species is selected from a group consisting of an ion, proton, alkali metal, and alkali earth metal.

85. The electrochemical actuator of claim 83, wherein at least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode include lithium or a lithium-metal alloy.

86. The electrochemical actuator of claim 83, wherein the change in volume of the actuator produces a strain of at least 1%.

87. The electrochemical actuator of claim 83, further comprising:

a liquid electrolyte.

88. The electrochemical actuator of claim 83, further comprising:

a solid electrolyte.

89. The electrochemical actuator of claim 83, further comprising:

a gel electrolyte.

90. The electrochemical actuator of claim 83, wherein the electrochemical actuator is constructed and arranged to be charged in manufacture, and is partially discharged after use or is not further charged after first discharge.

91. The electrochemical actuator of claim 83, wherein at least a portion of the negative electrode serves a donor of the species.

92. A method of actuation, comprising:

applying a voltage or current to an actuator including a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a species formulated to intercalate with or de-intercalate from at least one of the electrodes, the applied voltage or current inducing intercalation or de-intercalation of the species in at least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode, whereby the intercalation or de-intercalation induces a volumetric or dimensional change of the actuator and linear strain is produced.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the linear strain is at least 1%.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the volumetric or dimensional change induces a bend or twist in the actuator.

95. The method of claim 92, wherein the volumetric or dimensional change produces mechanical work.

96. The method of claim 92, wherein the volumetric or dimensional change induces displacement of at least one of the electrodes from a first orientation to a second orientation.

97. The method of claim 92, wherein at least a portion of the negative electrode serves a donor of the intercalating species.

98. A method of actuation, comprising:

allowing an electrochemical actuator to discharge from its initially charged state, the electrochemical actuator including a negative electrode, a positive electrode and a species formulated to intercalate with or de-intercalate from at least one of the electrodes, the discharge of the electrochemical actuator inducing intercalation or de-intercalation of the species in at least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode, whereby the intercalation or de-intercalation induces a volumetric or dimensional change of the actuator and linear strain is produced.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein the linear strain is at least 1%.

100. The method of claim 98, wherein the volumetric or dimensional change induces a bend or twist in the actuator.

101. The method of claim 98, wherein the volumetric or dimensional change produces mechanical work.

102. The method of claim 98, wherein the volumetric or dimensional change induces displacement of at least one of the electrodes from a first orientation to a second orientation.

103. The method of claim 98, wherein at least a portion of the negative electrode serves a donor of the intercalating species.

104. The method of claim 98, wherein the electrochemical actuator is partially discharged after use and is not further charged after first discharge.

105. An electrochemical actuator, comprising:

a negative electrode;

a positive electrode; and

a species formulated to alloy with at least one of the electrodes, the alloying of said species producing a change in volume in the actuator, such that at least one of the electrodes displaces from a first orientation to a second orientation upon charge and/or discharge of the electrochemical actuator.

106. The electrochemical actuator of claim 105, wherein the electrochemical actuator is constructed and arranged to be charged in manufacture, and is partially discharged after use or is not further charged after first discharge.

107. The electrochemical actuator of claim 105, wherein at least a portion of the negative electrode serves as a donor of the species.