Ionic polymer sensors and actuators
AssigneeMohsen Shahinpoor
InventorsMohsen Shahinpoor, Mehran Mojarrad
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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.
Claims20
A sensing element comprising:
- an ion exchange polymer;
- a porous conductive layer embedded in said polymer with penetration inside said polymer comprising at least two embedded electrodes wherein movement of said polymer in a dry environment generates an electrical potential between at least two of said at least two electrodes;
- and
- an impermeable flexible coating encapsulating said ion exchange polymer.
An actuating device comprising:
- an ion exchange polymer;
- a porous conductive layer embedded in said polymer with penetration inside said polymer comprising at least two embedded electrodes wherein application of an electrical potential across said electrodes causes movement of said polymer in a dry environment;
- and
- an impermeable flexible coating encapsulating said ion exchange polymer.
A sensing element comprising:
- an ion exchange polymer;
- a porous conductive layer embedded in said polymer with penetration inside said polymer comprising at least two embedded electrodes wherein deformation of said polymer generates an electrical potential between at least two of said at least two electrodes;
- and
- an impermeable flexible surrounding coating attached to and forming an outer surface of said polymer and a portion of the electrodes and which moves in conformity with the deformation of said polymer in a dry environment.
A sensing element comprising:
- an ion exchange polymer;
- a porous conductive layer comprising a sufficient thickness to trap water within said ion exchange polymer embedded in said polymer with penetration inside said polymer comprising at least two embedded electrodes wherein movement of said polymer in a dry environment generates an electrical potential between at least two of said at least two electrodes.
An actuating device comprising:
- an ion exchange polymer;
- a porous conductive layer comprising a sufficient thickness to trap water within said ion exchange polymer embedded in said polymer with penetration inside said polymer comprising at least two embedded electrodes wherein application of an electrical potential across said electrodes causes movement of said polymer in a dry environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.