Nanofiber actuators and strain amplifiers

US9154058B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Ray H. Baughman · Morristown, US
• Ali E. Aliev · Dallas, US
• Jiyoung Oh · Richardson, US
• Mikhail Kozlov · Eatontown, US
• Shaoli Fang · Richardson, US
• Raquel Ovalle-Robles · Sachse, US
• Anvar A. Zakhidov · McKinney, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 2009
• Grant date: Oct 6, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 29, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H02N1/006
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Nanofiber actuators and strain amplifiers having a material that generates a force or generates a displacement when directly or indirectly electrically driven. This material is an aerogel or a related low density or high density network comprising conducting fibers that are electrically interconnected and can substantially actuate without the required presence of either a liquid or solid electrolyte. Reversible or permanently frozen actuation is used to modify the properties of the actuator material for applications.