Abstract: The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.

Abstract: The invention provides conjugated polymers that have good solubility and semiconductivity, and that display high photoluminescent and electroluminescent efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides sensors that comprise a transducer that converts between mechanical energy and electrical energy. The transducer comprises an electroactive polymer in electrical communication with at least two electrodes. When a relatively small voltage difference is applied between the electrodes, deflection of the polymer results in a measurable change in electrical energy for the transducer. The change in electrical energy may correspond to a change in resistance, capacitance, or a combination thereof. Sensing electronics circuits in electrical communication with electrodes detect the electrical energy change.

Abstract: The invention provides novel conjugated polymers comprised of arylamine-substituted poly(arylene vinylenes). The polymers have the general structure (I) wherein: Ar is arylene, heteroarylene, substituted arylene or substituted heteroarylene containing one to three aromatic rings; R1 is an arylamine substituent having the formula —Ar1—N(R4R5) wherein Ar1 is as defined for Ar and R4 and R5 are independently hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, or substituted heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, or together form a cyclic group; and R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrido, halo and cyano, or may be as defined for R4 and R5, or may together form a triple bond. Monomeric precursors and methods of synthesizing the precursors are also provided, as are electroluminescence and other devices containing a polymer of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electroactive polymers that are pre-strained to improve conversion from electrical to mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting a pre-strained polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be used to do mechanical work. The pre-strain improves the mechanical response of an lo electroactive polymer. The present invention also relates to actuators including an electroactive polymer and mechanical coupling to convert deflection of the polymer into mechanical work. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electroactive polymers that are pre-strained to improve conversion from electrical to mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting a pre-strained polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be used to do mechanical work. The pre-strain improves the mechanical response of an electroactive polymer. The present invention also relates to actuators including an electroactive polymer and mechanical coupling to convert deflection of the polymer into mechanical work. The present invention further relates to compliant electrodes that conform to the shape of a polymer. The present invention provides methods for fabricating electromechanical devices including one or more electroactive polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides novel conjugated polymers comprised of arylamine-substituted poly(arylene vinylenes). The polymers have the general structure (I) wherein: Ar is arylene, heteroarylene, substituted arylene or substituted heteroarylene containing one to three aromatic rings; R1 is an arylamine substituent having the formula —Ar1—N(R4R5) wherein Ar1 is as defined for Ar and R4 and R5 are independently hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, or substituted heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, or together form a cyclic group; and R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrido, halo and cyano, or may be as defined for R4 and R5, or may together form a triple bond. Monomeric precursors and methods of synthesizing the precursors are also provided, as are electroluminescence and other devices containing a polymer of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides novel conjugated polymers comprised of arylamine-substituted poly(arylene vinylenes).

Abstract: The present invention relates to animated devices that include one or more electroactive polymer transducers. When actuated by electrical energy, an electroactive polymer produces mechanical deflection in one or more directions. This deflection may be used to produce motion of a feature included in an animated device. Electroactive polymer transducers offer customizable shapes and deflections. Combining different ways to configure and constrain a polymer, different ways to arrange active areas on a single polymer, different animated device designs, and different polymer orientations, permits a broad range of animated devices that use an electroactive polymer transducer to produce motion. These animated devices find use in a wide range of animated device applications.

Abstract: This disclosed generators include one or more transducers that use electroactive polymer films to convert thermally generated mechanical energy to electrical energy. The generators may include one or more transmission mechanisms that convert a portion of thermal energy generated from a heat source such as internal combustion, external combustion, solar energy, geothermal energy or waste heat, to mechanical energy that is used to drive the one or more transducers located in the generator. The energy received by the transducers may be converted to electrical energy by the transducers in conjunction with conditioning electronics located within the generator. One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy conversion device with two chambers each chamber including a diaphragm transducer that may convert thermal energy to electricity using a thermodynamic cycle such as a Stirling gas cycle.

Abstract: Fluorenes and polyfluorenes having one or two polar-group-containing alkyl substituents on their "9" carbon methylenes are disclosed together with the polymers' use as luminescent materials in organic light-emitting diodes and light-emitting electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Electrochemical light emitting devices are disclosed which include a composite material in contact with two electrodes. The composite material is an admixture of ionic species and an `immobile` semiconductor and a high-boiling gel-forming liquid. The presence of high-boiling gel-forming liquid improves the efficiency of the devices. The semiconductor is capable of supporting both p- and n-type carriers and having a doping profile which can be dynamically changed in a controlled fashion through reversible electrochemical oxidation and reduction. Devices having this structure may be used to generate electrochemically induced p-n junctions, thereby providing a new means of exploiting the light emitting properties of such junctions under an applied voltage. Systems and methods for generating useful levels of light employing these devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrochemical light emitting devices are disclosed which include a composite material in contact with two electrodes. The composite material is an admixture of ionic species and an `immobile` semiconductor. The semiconductor is capable of supporting both p- and n-type carriers and having a doping profile which can be dynamically changed in a controlled fashion through reversible electrochemical oxidation and reduction. Devices having this structure may be used to generate electrochemically induced p-n junctions, thereby providing a new means of exploiting the light emitting properties of such junctions under an applied voltage. Systems and methods for generating useful levels of light employing these devices are also disclosed.