Electric field activation of shape memory ceramics
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsChristopher A. Schuh, Alan Lai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Articles and methods in which an electric field is used to actuate a material are generally described. Provided in one embodiment is a method including applying an electric field to a ceramic material. Applying the electric field to the ceramic material can transform the ceramic material from a first solid phase to a second distinct solid phase. The applied electric field is less than a breakdown electric field of the ceramic material, according to certain embodiments.
Claims66
An actuator comprising:
- a shape memory ceramic;
- a first conductor;
- and
- a second conductor;
- wherein the first and second conductors are configured to apply an electric field to the shape memory ceramic, and wherein the shape memory ceramic comprises a structural feature, and a characteristic elongated phase domain length of the shape memory ceramic is larger than the structural feature of the shape memory ceramic.
A method of activating an actuator comprising:
- applying a voltage across a first conductor and a second conductor to apply an electric field to a shape memory ceramic, wherein the shape memory ceramic comprises a structural feature, and a characteristic elongated phase domain length of the shape memory ceramic is larger than the structural feature of the shape memory ceramic.
An actuator comprising:
- a shape memory ceramic;
- a first conductor;
- and
- a second conductor;
- wherein the first and second conductors are configured to apply an electric field to the shape memory ceramic, and wherein the shape memory ceramic is in the form of a film with a thickness of less than or equal to about 100 microns.
An actuator comprising:
- a shape memory ceramic;
- a first conductor;
- and
- a second conductor;
- wherein the first and second conductors are configured to apply an electric field to the shape memory ceramic, and wherein the shape memory ceramic comprises a single crystalline shape memory ceramic.
An actuator comprising:
- a shape memory ceramic;
- a first conductor;
- and
- a second conductor;
- wherein the first and second conductors are configured to apply an electric field to the shape memory ceramic, and wherein the shape memory ceramic comprises an oligocrystalline shape memory ceramic.
An actuator comprising:
- a shape memory ceramic;
- a first conductor;
- and
- a second conductor;
- wherein the first and second conductors are configured to apply an electric field to the shape memory ceramic, and wherein the shape memory ceramic has a transmittance of at least 50% for at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation between about 350 nm and about 800 nm.
An actuator comprising:
- a shape memory ceramic;
- a first conductor;
- and
- a second conductor;
- wherein the first and second conductors are configured to apply an electric field to the shape memory ceramic, and wherein at least one of the first and second conductors has a transmittance of at least 50% for at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation between about 350 nm and about 800 nm.
A method of activating an actuator comprising:
- applying a voltage across a first conductor and a second conductor to apply an electric field to a shape memory ceramic, wherein the shape memory ceramic is in the form of a film with a thickness of less than or equal to about 100 microns.
A method of activating an actuator comprising:
- applying a voltage across a first conductor and a second conductor to apply an electric field to a shape memory ceramic, wherein the shape memory ceramic comprises a single crystalline shape memory ceramic.
A method of activating an actuator comprising:
- applying a voltage across a first conductor and a second conductor to apply an electric field to a shape memory ceramic, wherein the shape memory ceramic comprises an oligocrystalline shape memory ceramic.
A method of activating an actuator comprising:
- applying a voltage across a first conductor and a second conductor to apply an electric field to a shape memory ceramic, wherein the shape memory ceramic has a transmittance of at least 50% for at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation between about 350 nm and about 800 nm.
The method of clam 59, wherein the shape memory ceramic is in the form of a film with a thickness of less than or equal to about 100 microns.
A method of activating an actuator comprising:
- applying a voltage across a first conductor and a second conductor to apply an electric field to a shape memory ceramic, wherein at least one of the first and second conductors has a transmittance of at least 50% for at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation between about 350 nm and about 800 nm.
The method of clam 63, wherein the shape memory ceramic is in the form of a film with a thickness of less than or equal to about 100 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.