IP Library Granted Patent US 9,673,382
Granted Patent B2
US 9,673,382 · App. 14/366,133 · Granted Jun 6, 2017

Actuator

Inventors: Maki Hiraoka (Nara, JP); Paolo Fiorini (Leuven, BE); Bjorn Vandecasteele (Leuven, BE)
Assignees: Panasonic Corporation; IMEC vzw; Universiteit Gent
H01L41/193F03G7/005F16K31/005H01L41/042H01L41/09Y10T137/0318
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,673,382
App. No.
14/366,133
Granted
Jun 6, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

In order to solve the problem of the generation of the interspace between layers, the present invention provides an actuator including: a conductive polymer layer; an ambient temperature molten salt layer; and an opposite electrode layer; wherein the ambient temperature molten salt layer is interposed between the conductive polymer layer and the opposite electrode layer, the ambient temperature molten salt layer includes an adhesive layer in the inside thereof; one surface of the adhesive layer adheres to the conductive polymer layer; and the other surface of the adhesive layer adheres to the opposite electrode layer.

Claims (43)

1. An actuator comprising:

a conductive polymer layer;

an ambient temperature molten salt layer; and

an opposite electrode layer; wherein

the ambient temperature molten salt layer is interposed between the conductive polymer layer and the opposite electrode layer,

the ambient temperature molten salt layer comprises an adhesive layer in the inside thereof;

one surface of the adhesive layer adheres to the conductive polymer layer; and

the other surface of the adhesive layer adheres to the opposite electrode layer.

2. The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein

the ambient temperature molten salt layer comprises a plurality of adhesive layers in the inside thereof; and

the plurality of adhesive layers are dispersed in the ambient temperature molten salt layer when viewed in the perspective top view.

3. A method for driving an actuator, the method comprising:

(a) preparing the actuator comprising:

a conductive polymer layer;

an ambient temperature molten salt layer; and

an opposite electrode layer; wherein

the ambient temperature molten salt layer is interposed between the conductive polymer layer and the opposite electrode layer,

the ambient temperature molten salt layer comprises an adhesive layer in the inside thereof;

one surface of the adhesive layer adheres to the conductive polymer layer; and

the other surface of the adhesive layer adheres to the opposite electrode layer;

(b) applying a negative voltage and a positive voltage to the conductive polymer layer and the opposite electrode layer, respectively, to increase the thickness of the conductive polymer layer; and

(c) applying a positive voltage and a negative voltage to the conductive polymer layer and the opposite electrode layer, respectively, to decrease the thickness of the conductive polymer layer.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein

the ambient temperature molten salt layer comprises a plurality of adhesive layers in the inside thereof; and

the plurality of adhesive layers are dispersed in the ambient temperature molten salt layer when viewed in the perspective top view.

5. A method for controlling a flow of a fluid flowing through a flow path, the method comprising;

(a) preparing the actuator comprising:

a conductive polymer layer;

an ambient temperature molten salt layer; and

an opposite electrode layer; wherein

the ambient temperature molten salt layer is interposed between the conductive polymer layer and the opposite electrode layer,

the ambient temperature molten salt layer comprises an adhesive layer in the inside thereof;

one surface of the adhesive layer adheres to the conductive polymer layer; and

the other surface of the adhesive layer adheres to the opposite electrode layer;

(b) applying a negative voltage and a positive voltage to the conductive polymer layer and the opposite electrode layer, respectively, to stop the flow of the fluid flowing through the flow path by increasing the thickness of the conductive polymer layer; and

(c) applying a positive voltage and a negative voltage to the conductive polymer layer and the opposite electrode layer, respectively, to flow the fluid through the flow path by decreasing the thickness of the conductive polymer layer.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein

the ambient temperature molten salt layer comprises a plurality of adhesive layers in the inside thereof; and

the plurality of adhesive layers are dispersed in the ambient temperature molten salt layer when viewed in the perspective top view.

7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein

the actuator is provided on a substrate;

in the step (b), a bottom surface of the actuator is brought into contact with the substrate; and

in the step (c), the bottom surface of the actuator is left from the substrate.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2017
From: IMEC VZW; UNIVERSITEIT GENT
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044009/0131 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 16, 2015
From: IMEC
To: IMEC VZW
Reel/Frame 034892/0016 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 18, 2014
From: HIRAOKA, MAKI; FIORINI, PAOLO; VANDECASTEELE, BJORN
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION; IMEC; UNIVERSITEIT GENT
Reel/Frame 033557/0739 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2011-276803 · Dec 19, 2011 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140345697A1 · Nov 27, 2014