US 9,755,135 B1 · Highly electroactive materials and highly electroactive actuators that act as artificial muscle, tendon, and skin

Abstract

This invention describes a method for producing a novel, superior, highly electroactive material and highly electroactive actuator, which act as artificial muscle, tendon, fascia, perimysium, epimysium, and skin that wrinkles and with the preferred movement of contraction, comprising ion-containing, cross-linked electroactive material(s); solvent(s); electrode(s); attachments to levers or other objects; and coating(s). The composition and electrode configuration of the highly electroactive material of the highly electroactive actuator can be optimized so that contraction occurs when activated by electricity, and when allowed to relax back to its original conformation or when the polarity of the electrodes is reversed, expansion occurs, and a combination of these movements can be arranged, such as antagonistic pairs. The highly electroactive material itself or the highly electroactive actuator may be used individually or grouped to produce movement when activated by electricity. This invention can provide for human-like motion, durability, toughness, and strength.

Claims51

Dependent claims

A method for producing a highly electroactive material and a highly electroactive actuator having movement when activated by electrical stimulation comprising:

providing a mixture of reactants comprising:
(a) at least one ion-containing monomer selected from the group consisting of methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, ionized 2-acrylamide, 2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid-2-acrylamide, styrene sulfonic acid, quarternized 4-vinyl pyridinium chloride, vinylbenzyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, sulfonated styrene-13-ethylene, sulfonated styrene-13-butylene, sulfonated styrene, and a combination thereof;
(b) at least one salt form of the ion-containing monomer;
(c) at least one cross-linking agent, with a functionality of 3 or greater;
(e) at least one diluent compatible or miscible with said ion-containing monomer(s);
at least one solvent compatible with the monomer(s);
polymerizing and cross-linking said reactants (a)-(c) in reactants (e) and (f) to produce a highly electroactive material;
and
placing at least one conductive electrode in or near said highly electroactive material to produce a highly electroactive actuator comprising the highly electroactive material and the conductive electrode.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Highly electroactive materials and highly electroactive actuators that act as artificial muscle, tendon, and skin

Life of this patent

Highly electroactive materials and highly electroactive actuators that act as artificial muscle, tendon, and skin

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims51