Abstract: A polymer linear actuator for a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) and a micro manipulator for a measurement device of cranial nerve signal using the same are provided. The polymer linear actuator has first and second bodies positioned spaced apart to a distance from each other, and one or more pairs of V-type moving units connecting the first and second bodies together, wherein the moving units in pair are opposed to each other to convert a rotation motion of the respective moving units into a linear motion, thereby causing the first and second bodies to move linearly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers, transducers and devices that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be used to do mechanical work. Similarly, when the electroactive polymer deflects, an electric field is produced in the polymer. This electric field may be used to produce electrical energy. An active area is a portion of a polymer having sufficient electrostatic force to enable deflection of the portion and/or sufficient deflection to enable a change in electrostatic force. The present invention relates to transducers and devices including multiple active areas. The invention also relates to methods for actuating one or more active areas.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an electronic device including at least one electro active polymer element. The at least one electro active polymer element includes an electrode. The at least one electro active polymer element is configured to change volume when a voltage is applied to the electrode, where the change in volume results in a change in a luminous transmittance of the electro active polymer element.

Abstract: Described herein are compliant electroactive polymer transducers for use in acoustic applications. A compliant electroactive polymer transducer includes a compliant electroactive polymer at least two electrodes. For sound production, circuitry in electrical communication with the transducer electrodes is configured to apply a driving signal that causes the electroactive polymer to deflect in the acoustic range.

Abstract: Energy converters and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an energy converter includes a first structural member spaced apart from a second structure member, a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element individually coupled to the first structural member and the second structural member, and a deflection member tensionally suspended between the first and second piezoelectric elements. The deflection member is substantially rigid.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, an apparatus. The apparatus, without limitation, may include a substrate with a surface, and a polymer layer attached to a region of the surface. The apparatus may further include a plurality of nanostructures, a first end of each nanostructure being in the polymer layer and a second end of each nanostructure protruding through the polymer layer, wherein the nanostructures are configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to a change in thickness of the polymer layer from a first thickness to a second thickness.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. The composite facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction, an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, and provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: An actuator housing unit for a system of layered surfaces, comprising an activated primary surface having a physical shape capable of change when activated by an electrical, chemical, or light stimulus, to expand and exert force or pressure or contract and remove force or pressure, upon activation or deactivation, to move or keep matter within the housing by direct or indirect contact.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. In accordance with the present invention, the composite also facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction and an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, as well as provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: Conductive polymer films are respectively connected to fixed frames via a link member, and an electrolyte holding layer is placed so as to be made in contact with the conductive polymer films. The fixed frames are regulated by the link member.

Abstract: Disclosed are electroactive polymer fibers, processes of preparing electroactive polymer fibers, and devices containing electroactive polymer fibers. Devices can be used as actuators and sensors, generators and transducers. Applications include inter alia artificial muscles, prosthetics and robotics.

Abstract: In a polymer actuator provided with a first polymer structural member having a conductive property, an electrolyte retention layer electrically connected to the first polymer structural member, and a second polymer structural member electrically connected to the first polymer structural member through the electrolyte retention layer interposed therebetween and having a conductive property, and by applying a potential difference between the first polymer structural member and the second polymer structural member, the first polymer structural member and the second polymer structural member are allowed to expand and contract, by displacement of the second polymer structural member, the potential difference between the first polymer structural member and the second polymer structural member is changed.

Abstract: Described herein are several solutions that increase transducer lifetime by reducing or preventing tear propagation in a compliant electroactive polymer. One solution couples a compliant tear resistant treatment to a transducer proximate to an edge portion of the electroactive polymer. Another solution uses a tear resistant layer that couples to and covers a large surface area of the transducer. Another suitable tear resistant solution provides added material outside an active area; the added material reduces stress or strain variations in polymer material outside the active area when the electroactive polymer transducer is deflected or pre-strained.

Abstract: This invention relates to biomimetic electro-active paper actuators which are ultra lightweight, have a large deformation feature, are operated with low power consumption, are remotely driven by microwaves, and have suitable response speed, which are comprised of paper wherein micro fibrils of cellulose are arranged in a predetermined direction, electrodes which are deposited on both sides of the paper, a film rectenna which receives an electric field from outside and converts it into direct power, and a PAD logic circuit (power allocation & distribution) which receives a signal of direct power and converts/controls it into power force.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire with an electric power generation device for supplying sufficient electric power which has a simple and small-sized construction. An electric power generation device for converting strain occurring in a tire into electric energy includes at least one electric power generation element and a device body. The electric power generation element has at least two stretchable electrodes and a dielectric elastomer, arranged between the electrodes, and producing a potential difference between the electrodes according to the strain applied from the tire. The device body has an electrical condenser for accumulating electric energy produced by the electric power generation element. The length, in the circumferential direction of the tire, of the electric power generation element is set so that strain by contraction and strain by expansion that are caused by the rotating tire coming into contact with the ground surface are not simultaneously applied to the single power generation element.

Abstract: A novel flexible tactile sensor for sensing the force direction was designed by introducing the concept of structural electrodes on a piezoelectric film. The structural electrodes comprised an elastomeric column and distributed microelectrodes between the column and piezoelectric film. As a periodic small force acts at the elastomeric column, the force is transferred to the piezoelectric film based on the column bending behavior therefore the scale of force can be detected by the output voltages from the distributed electrodes due to the corresponding force state under the column. In addition, two opposite output signals from different sides of the column can differentiate the force direction as the column is bent by external force. The resulting signal for sensing force and its direction depends on the size of column.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon having at least one static state, at least one expanded state, and at least one deflated state, the expandable medical balloon including at least one active region, the at least one active region including electroactive polymer.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus. In one embodiment, this apparatus includes a substrate having a surface, and a plurality of nanostructures each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of nanostructures is attached to the surface. At least a portion of the second ends of the plurality of nanostructures, in this embodiment, are bent toward one another to form two or more similarly configured clumps each including two or more nanostructures.

Abstract: An air-coupled transducer includes a ultrasonic transducer body having a radiation end with a backing fixture at the radiation end. There is a flexible backplate conformingly fit to the backing fixture and a thin membrane (preferably a metallized polymer) conformingly fit to the flexible backplate. In one embodiment, the backing fixture is spherically curved and the flexible backplate is spherically curved. The flexible backplate is preferably patterned with pits or depressions.

Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. Acrylic dielectric material based actuators are optionally provided in which architectures are presented that allow for improved power output as compared with other known acrylic dielectric material based transducers. Such technology may be applied in motor-driven applications, lightweight flight applications and lighting applications among others.

Abstract: A polymer bulk acoustic resonator that includes an active semiconductor layer, a first thin film electrode layer applied to the semiconductor layer, a thin film electro-active polymer layer applied to the first thin film electrode layer; and a second thin film electrode layer applied to the thin film electro-active polymer layer.

Abstract: To improve adhesive properties between an electrically conductive polymer membrane and a solid electrolyte membrane to each other, and thus to ensure the operation of an electrically conductive polymer actuator which effects a bending motion is aimed.

Abstract: A composition of matter having multiple layers of different conductors separated by thin layers of dielectric materials has a high piezoelectric coefficient when the conductors are metals having a significant difference in work function and the dielectric materials have a low elastic modulus when the metal layers are connected to form a capacitive circuit. Alternatively, when the conductors are semi-conductors they should have a significant difference in Fermi levels.

Abstract: Piezoelectric transducers and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric transducer includes a support member, a piezoelectric element attached to the support member, and a pressurized chamber at one side of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element comprises a flexible film, and the pressurized chamber contains a fluid that applies a static pressure to a side of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A panel that can change its stiffness and/or surface roughness and thereby its sound quality is provided. The panel includes a layer having an outer surface and an inner surface oppositely disposed from the outer surface. The panel can also include an electroactive actuator that is operable to change its shape when a voltage is applied thereto. The change in shape of the electroactive actuator results in a change in stiffness and/or surface roughness of the panel and therefore a change in the panel's acoustic characteristics. In some instances, the electroactive actuator is at least partially within the panel and upon changing of its shape results in a change in the roughness of a surface that faces a sound source. In other instances, the activation of the electroactive actuator results in an increase in stiffness of the panel.

Abstract: To provide a polymer actuator which is light in weight and capable of linear expansion and contraction with a low voltage. The polymer actuator 1 is composed of a plurality of gel/electrode complexes arranged in an electrolytic aqueous solution 6, said gel/electrode complex being composed of a polymer gel (2a, 2b) containing at least either of acidic or basic functional groups and electrodes (3a, 3b) placed in the polymer gel, said electrodes being made of a material capable of occluding and releasing hydrogen electrochemically, such that the polymer gel (2a, 2b) in the gel/electrode complex changes in pH upon application of voltage across the electrodes (3a, 3b) of the gel/electrode complexes (4a, 4b) and each of the gel/complexes changes in volume in response to the pH change.

Abstract: A gear drive assembly (33) includes a housing (24), an external base (28) movable with respect to the housing, and an external gear member (12) associated with the external base. The assembly includes an internal gear member (14) surrounded by the external gear member and in meshing relation therewith. The assembly also includes a plurality of conductive polymer actuators (26) defining actuator sets. Each actuator set is coupled at one portion thereof to the housing with another portion thereof being coupled to the external base. Each actuator is constructed and arranged to deflect when voltage is applied thereto such that when voltage is selectively applied to the actuator sets, deflection of the actuators causes the external base to move causing the external gear member to move in an orbiting manner with respect to the internal gear member.

Abstract: An electrically conductive polymer actuator having a laminated structure including: a solid electrolyte membrane constituted with a mixture of an ionic liquid, and an organic polymer that contains at least one or more of a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer [P(VDF/HFP)], polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN); and an electrically conductive polymer membrane constituted with a mixture of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS) and polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) on at least one face of the solid electrolyte membrane, characterized in that polyethylene glycol is included in the electrically conductive polymer membrane.

Abstract: A material for an actuator is provided which is reduced in weight, can be micro-miniaturized and can be used stably in a gas phase such as in atmospheric air safely, and an actuator using the material is provided. The material used for the actuator comprises a material formed by mixing fine conductive particles with a polymer material having a large absolute value of thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: In order to realize a small and light key actuating apparatus for actuating a key which is rotatably supported with respect to a frame, a key actuating apparatus (7) is provided which includes a polymer transducer (9) for rotatably moving the key (3) by using a deformation of the transducer, wherein the transducer which is substantially formed in a plate shape includes: a polymer film (15) which is dielectric and made from an elastically deformable polymer material; and a pair of electrodes (17) arranged at both sides of surfaces of the polymer film, and the transducer is deformed corresponding to switching between an application of voltage and a lack of voltage between the electrodes.

Abstract: A plane thin-type polymer actuator is provided with a conductive active member serving as a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer, with at least a first electrolytic layer made in contact with the active member layer. The first electrolytic layer being sealed between the two electrode layers so that, by applying an electric field between the two electrode layers, the active member layer is expanded and contracted. In this structure, the first electrolytic layer is a solid-state electrolyte having a specific elastic modulus, or a liquid-state electrolyte. A holding member is provided to maintain the thickness between the active member layer and the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A transducer employing at least two electroactive polymer layers stretched to join each central portion of the electroactive polymer layers to each form a concave shape wherein the central portions of the electroactive polymer layers actuate in at least two component directions upon application of a voltage across the electroactive polymer material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electroactive solid-state actuator, including a solid polymer electrolyte film having first and second main surfaces facing each other, and first and second conductive polymer layers infiltrated into the first and second main surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte film. Further, a method of manufacturing the electroactive solid-state actuator is provided, the method including preparing a solid polymer film having first and second main surfaces facing each other, infiltrating a monomer of a conductive polymer into the first and second main surfaces of the solid polymer film, followed by polymerization, to form first and second conductive polymer layers, and immersing the solid polymer film into an ionic liquid or liquid electrolyte to be converted to an electrically conductive polymer.

Abstract: To improve adhesive properties between an electrically conductive polymer membrane and a solid electrolyte membrane to each other, and thus to ensure the operation of an electrically conductive polymer actuator which effects a bending motion is aimed.

Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. Acrylic dielectric material based actuators are optionally provided in which architectures are presented that allow for improved power output as compared with other known acrylic dielectric material based transducers. Such technology may be applied in motor-driven applications, lightweight flight applications and lighting applications among others.

Abstract: Described herein are compliant electroactive polymer transducers for use in acoustic applications. A compliant electroactive polymer transducer includes a compliant electroactive polymer at least two electrodes. For sound production, circuitry in electrical communication with the transducer electrodes is configured to apply a driving signal that causes the electroactive polymer to deflect in the acoustic range.

Abstract: Electroactive P(VDF-CTFE) copolymers comprising CTFE in ranges between 5 mol % to 20 mol % are disclosed. The electroactive P(VDF-CTFE) copolymers are formed into films that exhibit strain values of 2% or more in response to one or more electromagnetic fields. The electroactive P(VDF-CTFE) copolymer films are deposited using ink-jet printing, slide coating, spin-coating, extrusion coating, meniscus coating, dip coating, spray coating or a combination thereof. Patterned P(VDF-CTFE) copolymer films are formed using lithographic techniques, nanoimprint techniques, nanolithography techniques or a combination thereof. The electroactive P(VDF-CTFE) copolymer films are used in the activation and/or operation of micro-mechanical devices and/or electrical devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are layered films having a combination of piezoelectric layers that change dimension with applied voltage and non-piezoelectric layers. The layered structures can form a wide range of electrically switchable optical films. These films have applications in displays, polarizers, optical compensators, aesthetic films, and “hot” and “cold” mirrors that selectively reflect only certain wavelengths. Also disclosed are monochromatic and multicolor displays using these films.

Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. The devices include pumps, valves, cameras (where electroactive polymer actuators control either one or both of zoom and focus), vibrators (for inclusion in cell phones, game console controls, etc.) and audio speakers. These devices advantageously incorporate the actuator configurations descried. The devices generally incorporate a diaphragm-type actuation having a central section of material that is less flexible than adjacent material.

Abstract: An actuator as a drive source of robots and the like is usable for housekeeping assistance, job assistance, and nursing help. The drive source itself is small, light, flexible, and safe. A manufacturing method for a planar electrode support therefor is also described. The actuator has an electrolyte layer in contact with a conductive polymer layer disposed in between a first electrode having the conductive polymer layer attached thereto and opposite second electrode, for deforming the conductive polymer layer by application of electric fields to the electrodes. The first electrode has low rigidity in a longitudinal direction of the conductive polymer layer to facilitate expansion and contraction thereof.

Abstract: An actuator is provided. The actuator includes a pair of electrode layers, and an ionically conductive polymer layer arranged between the pair of electrode layers. The ionically conductive polymer layer is configured to bend or deform as a result of the application of a voltage between the pair of electrode layers. The electrode layers each include carbon particles and an ionically conductive resin, and the ionically conductive resin binds the carbon particles with each other.

Abstract: The invention describes electroactive polymer devices in both rolled and unrolled configurations. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. An electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and, in one embodiment includes a rolled electroactive polymer and one or more electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. In one embodiment, the electroactive polymer has a non-uniform surface on which an electrode having a non-uniform shape is disposed.

Abstract: Electrical energy is produced at a remote or close site by converting kinetic energy from fluid flow with membranes that generates electrical energy in response to deformation by the fluid flow passing though a piezo electric medium attached to the deforming membranes. Sets of membranes define variable fluid flow restrictors that oscillate due to interaction of the force of fluid flow and Bernoulli Effect. The device can be tuned to different flow regimes in order to enhance energy conversion efficiency. Each membrane may include one or more layers of piezoelectric material separated by insulating/stiffening layers. Further, the device may be mounted in a secondary flow path such as a side package or annular tube.

Abstract: Transducers employing electroactive polymer films are disclosed.

Abstract: Electroactive polymer constructions that convert electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice versa are disclosed. The subject transducers (actuators, generators, sensors or combinations thereof) share the requirement of a frame or fixture element used in preloading elastomeric film electrodes and dielectric polymer in a desired configuration. The structures are either integrally biased in a push-pull arrangement or preloaded/biased by another element.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. In accordance with the present invention, the composite also facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction and an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, as well as provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lithography include actuating an electroactive polymer member to position mask and/or substrate.

Abstract: A polymer actuator is provided. The polymer actuator includes a plurality of gel/electrode complexes arranged in an electrolytic solution, wherein the gel/electrode complex is composed of a polymeric hydrogel containing acidic or basic functional groups and electrodes placed in the polymeric hydrogel, such that it changes in volume upon application of a voltage across said electrodes. The polymer actuator expands and contracts in the linear direction without curved deformation. The polymer actuator is light in weight and is capable of control with a low voltage.

Abstract: An optical device includes a lens holder that holds a lens and is movable in the optical-axis direction of the lens, and an actuator that moves the lens holder in the optical-axis direction. The actuator includes an actuator element composed of an electroactive polymer, an actuator-element holder that holds the actuator element, a mechanism that applies prestrain to the actuator element, and a connecting member that connects the lens holder and the actuator. Herein, a connecting portion of the connecting member is disposed adjacent to the side surface of the actuator.

Abstract: Electroactive polymer transducers are disclosed. They are biased in a manner that provides for increased force and/or stroke output, thereby offering improved work potential and power output capacity. The biasing may offer additional or alternate functional advantage in terms of matching transducer performance with a given application such as a normally-closed valve. The improved biasing (including increased output biasing) may utilize negative spring rate biasing and/or a combination of negative or zero-rate biasing with positive rate biasing to achieve the desired ends.