Abstract: An object of this invention is to create an actuator in which the amount of deformation is maintained and no displacement in the reverse direction occurs, even when a constant voltage is continuously applied for a long period of time. As a means for achieving the above object, the invention provides a conductive thin film comprising a polymer gel containing at least one organic molecule selected from the group consisting of electron-donating organic molecules and electron-withdrawing organic molecules, a nano-carbon material, an ionic liquid, and a polymer.

Abstract: A conductive thin film is composed of a polymer gel including carbon nanotubes, an ionic liquid, and a polymer. At least one selected from the group consisting of fat and oil and a water repellent is included in the polymer gel or in a surface of the polymer gel.

Abstract: A polymer actuator device includes a device part including an electrolyte layer, first and second electrode layers disposed on either surface of the electrolyte layer in a thickness direction, and a reference electrode layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers and in contact with the electrolyte layer. The device part bends in response to a voltage applied between the first and second electrode layers.

Abstract: A method for producing an aggregated thread structure includes (a) a process of dispersing carbon nanotube to a first solvent, which is water or a mixed solvent containing organic solvent and water, with a surfactant, to create a dispersion and (b) a process of injecting the dispersion, in which carbon nanotube is dispersed, to a condensing liquid, which is a second solvent that differs from the first solvent, to thereby aggregate and spin carbon nanotube. The aggregated thread structure containing carbon nanotube has: a bulk density of 0.5 g/cm3 or more; a weight reduction rate up to 450° C. of 50% or less; a G/D ratio for resonance Raman scattering measurement of 10 or more; and an electric conductivity of 50 S/cm or more.

Abstract: An electrode film for a polymer actuator element contains a fluororesin, a fluorine rubber, an ionic liquid, and a conductive filler.

Abstract: A method for producing an aggregated thread structure includes (a) a process of dispersing carbon nanotube to a first solvent, which is water or a mixed solvent containing organic solvent and water, with a surfactant, to create a dispersion and (b) a process of injecting the dispersion, in which carbon nanotube is dispersed, to a condensing liquid, which is a second solvent that differs from the first solvent, to thereby aggregate and spin carbon nanotube. The aggregated thread structure containing carbon nanotube has: a bulk density of 0.5 g/cm3 or more; a weight reduction rate up to 450° C. of 50% or less; a G/D ratio for resonance Raman scattering measurement of 10 or more; and an electric conductivity of 50 S/cm or more.

Abstract: A conductive thin film is composed of a polymer gel including carbon nanotubes, an ionic liquid, and a polymer. At least one selected from the group consisting of fat and oil and a water repellent is included in the polymer gel or in a surface of the polymer gel.

Abstract: An electroconductive film for an actuator is formed from a gel composition including carbon nanofibers, an ionic liquid, and a polymer. The carbon nanofibers are produced with an aromatic mesophase pitch by melt spinning.

Abstract: A polymer actuator includes: a pair of electrode layers made of an ionic liquid, a polymer, and carbon nanoparticles; and an electrolyte layer provided between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the carbon nanoparticles are a mixture of carbon nanotubes (hereinafter, referred to as CNTs) and carbon nanohorns (hereinafter, referred to as CNHs), a ratio by weight of the carbon nanoparticles to the total weight of the ionic liquid, the polymer, and the carbon nanoparticles contained in the pair of electrodes is equal to or higher than 25 wt % and equal to or lower than 80 wt %, a mixing ratio of the CNTs to the CNHs contained in the carbon particles is in a range of (CNT):(CNH)=1:1 to 3:1, and a ratio by weight of the polymer is equal to or higher than 17.7 wt % and equal to or lower than 30.2 wt %.

Abstract: An electrode film for a polymer actuator element contains a fluororesin, a fluorine rubber, an ionic liquid, and a conductive filler.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator exhibiting improved performance. The actuator is formed of an electrically conductive thin film formed from an ionic liquid and carbon nanotubes having an aspect ratio of not less than 104; or an electrically conductive thin film formed from an ionic liquid and carbon nanotubes having a length of not less than 50 ?m.

Abstract: A polymer actuator includes: a pair of electrode layers made of an ionic liquid, a polymer, and carbon nanoparticles; and an electrolyte layer provided between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the carbon nanoparticles are a mixture of carbon nanotubes (hereinafter, referred to as CNTs) and carbon nanohorns (hereinafter, referred to as CNHs), a ratio by weight of the carbon nanoparticles to the total weight of the ionic liquid, the polymer, and the carbon nanoparticles contained in the pair of electrodes is equal to or higher than 25 wt % and equal to or lower than 80 wt %, a mixing ratio of the CNTs to the CNHs contained in the carbon particles is in a range of (CNT):(CNH)=1:1 to 3:1, and a ratio by weight of the polymer is equal to or higher than 17.7 wt % and equal to or lower than 30.2 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator exhibiting improved performance. The actuator is formed of an electrically conductive thin film formed from an ionic liquid and carbon nanotubes having an aspect ratio of not less than 104; or an electrically conductive thin film formed from an ionic liquid and carbon nanotubes having a length of not less than 50 ?m.

Abstract: An actuator element which functions stably in air and in vacuo, and can be driven at low voltages is described. A actuator element which includes at least two electrode layers, each of which is mutually insulated and comprises a gel composition comprising carbon nanotubes, an ionic liquid and a polymer, are formed on the surface of ion-conductive layer comprising a gel composition comprising an ionic liquid and a polymer, so that the actuator element is capable of being flexed or deformed by creating a potential difference between the electrode layers; and an actuator element wherein at least two electrode layers, each of which is mutually insulated, are formed on the surface of ion-conductive layer, conductive layer is formed on the surface of each electrode layer, and the actuator element is capable of being flexed or deformed by creating a potential difference between the conductive layers.

Abstract: A polymeric actuator of simple structure, capable of being easily miniaturized, showing quick response and capable of generating large displacement. The polymeric actuator includes an ion-exchange resin product and metal electrodes. The ion-exchange resin product contains an alkylammonium. The metal electrodes are formed on the surface of the ion-exchange resin product and are insulated from each other. The polymeric actuator operates as an actuator by applying a potential difference between the metal electrodes when the ion-exchange resin product is in water-containing state to allow the ion-exchange resin product to undergo bending or deformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator element which functions stably in air and in vacuo, and can be driven at low voltages. The present invention provides an actuator element wherein at least two electrode layers 2, each of which is mutually insulated and comprises a gel composition comprising carbon nanotubes, an ionic liquid and a polymer, are formed on the surface of ion-conductive layer 1 comprising a gel composition comprising an ionic liquid and a polymer, so that the actuator element is capable of being flexed or deformed by creating a potential difference between the electrode layers; and an actuator element wherein at least two electrode layers 2, each of which is mutually insulated, are formed on the surface of ion-conductive layer 1, conductive layer 3 is formed on the surface of each electrode layer 2, and the actuator element is capable of being flexed or deformed by creating a potential difference between the conductive layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for easily producing an excellent actuator element wherein carbon nanotubes are extremely well dispersed, in the production of an actuator element using a hydrophilic ionic liquid. According to one embodiment, the invention provides an electroconductive film composed of a polymer gel having carbon nanotubes with an aspect ratio of at least 103 or more, an ionic liquid, and a polymer.

Abstract: A polymeric actuator of simple structure, capable of being easily miniaturized, showing quick response and capable of generating large displacement. The polymeric actuator includes an ion-exchange resin product and metal electrodes. The ion-exchange resin product contains an alkylammonium. The metal electrodes are formed on the surface of the ion-exchange resin product and are insulated from each other. The polymeric actuator operates as an actuator by applying a potential difference between the metal electrodes when the ion-exchange resin product is in water-containing state to allow the ion-exchange resin product to undergo bending or deformation.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymeric actuator including an ion-exchange resin product and metal electrodes which are formed on the surface of the ion-exchange resin product is provided. The process involves repeatedly conducting the following steps (i) to (iii) to form the metal electrodes ranging from the surface of the ion-exchange resin product to the inside thereof: (i) a step of allowing the ion-exchange resin product to adsorb a metal complex (adsorption step), (ii) a step of reducing the metal complex adsorbed on the ion-exchange resin product by a reducing agent to deposit a metal on the surface of the ion-exchange resin product (deposition step), and (iii) a step of washing the ion-exchange resin product having the deposited metal (washing step). Through the above steps, a polymeric actuator having simple structure, capable of being easily miniaturized, showing quick response and capable of generating large displacement can be obtained.