Actuators using double-layer charging of high surface area materials

An electromechanical actuator comprising:

• at least one ionically conducting and electronically insulating electrolyte;
• and
• at least two electronically conducting electrodes separated by said at least one electrolyte, at least one electrode of said at least two electronically conducting electrodes being a porous solid having an accessible gravimetric surface area of at least 150 m2/gm and an accessible gravimetric capacitance of at least 5 F/gm, having a mechanical modulus of at least 0.5 GPa and having pores containing an electrolyte that is ionically conducting,
• the at least one electrode undergoing a dimensional change that provides, in whole or in part, an actuator output upon non-faradaic charge injection responsive to application of an electrical voltage between said at least two electronically conducting electrodes.

A mechanical actuator for converting chemical energy to electrical energy and converting the electrical energy to a mechanical displacement, comprising:

• first and second electrodes that are electronically conductive and contain a catalyst for oxidation or reduction, said first and second electrodes being porous and filled with an electrolyte,
• at least one electrode of said first and second electrodes having a gravimetric surface area of at least 150 m2/gm and undergoing a dimensional change responsive to non-faradaic charging;
• an electrolyte separating said first and second electrodes, said separating electrolyte being substantially gas impermeable, ionically conductive, and electronically insulating;
• means for contacting said first electrode with a first reactant that is oxidizable;
• and
• means for separately contacting said second electrode with a second reactant that is reducible,
• the at least one electrode being mechanically displaced responsive to at least one of controlling flow of said first and second reactants to said first and second electrodes and electrically connecting said first and second electrodes either directly or indirectly.

An electromechanical microactuator comprising:

• a first electrode that is electronically conducting and having a thickness in a narrowest dimension of less than 10 nm, a gravimetric surface area of at least 150 m2/gm, and a capacitance of at least 5 F/gm;
• a second electrode that is electronically conducting serving as a counter electrode to said first electrode;
• and
• an electronically insulating electrolyte providing an ionically conducting path between said first and second electrodes,
• said first electrode being mechanically displaced responsive to application of a voltage between said first and second electrodes.