Dynamically modifiable polymer coatings and devices
AssigneeUniversity of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsClayton C. Bohn, Jr., Anthony B. Brennan, Ronald H. Baney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dynamic coating includes at least one polymeric layer for attachment to a surface. The polymeric layer includes at least one electrically conducting polymer including layer, wherein under influence of a dynamic signal applied to the polymeric layer, a contact angle of the polymeric layer dynamically and substantially increases or decreases upon oxidation or reduction of the polymer. The polymeric layer can also expand or contract upon oxidation or reduction. The coating can be used for a variety of applications including a non-toxic biofouling preventative system and for forming low voltage electrowetting pumps.
Claims27
A dynamic polymer-based coating, comprising:
- at least one patterned polymeric layer including a plurality of discrete features electrically isolated from one another for attachment to a surface, said polymeric layer including at least one electrochemically oxidizable and reducible and electrically conductive polymer (EORECP), said EORECP having at least a partially conjugated polymer backbone and providing a room temperature electrical conductivity of between 0.1 S/cm and 1,000 S/cm, and
- an electrode layer in electrical contact with said EORECP.
A non-toxic biofouling preventative system, comprising:
- a polymer-based coating disposed on a solid surface, said coating comprising a polymeric layer, said polymeric layer including at least one electrochemically oxidizable and reducible and electrically conductive polymer (EORECP), said EORECP having at least a partially conjugated polymer backbone and providing a room temperature electrical conductivity of between 0.1 S/cm and 1,000 S/cm,
- an electrochemically active counter electrode spaced apart from said coating;
- an aqueous solution including an electrolyte in contact with said coating and said counter electrode, and
- a power supply for supplying a dynamic electrical signal to said polymeric layer, relative said counter electrode sufficient for oxidization or reduction of said EORECP.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.