Rolled electroactive polymers

Details Rolled electroactive polymers Rolled electroactive polymers

2005-05-10

2005-05-10

Dougherty, Thomas M. (Department: 2834)

Electrical generator or motor structure

Piezoelectric polymers

Reexamination Certificate

active

06891317

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.

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