US 12,264,655 B2
Unipolar artificial muscles and methods of use thereof
Hetao Chu, Chengdu (CN); Jinsong Leng, Harbin (CN); Ray H. Baughman, Dallas, TX (US); Xinghao Hu, Plano, TX (US); Na Li, Milwaukee, WI (US); Carter S. Haines, Murphy, TX (US); Shaoli Fang, Richardson, TX (US); Zhong Wang, Dallas, TX (US); and Jiuke Mu, Plano, TX (US)
Assigned to BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, Austin, TX (US)
Appl. No. 17/380,746
Filed by BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, Austin, TX (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 3, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/016391
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 20, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/163228, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 31, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/802,589, filed on Feb. 7, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0141697 A1, May 11, 2023
Int. Cl. D02G 3/16 (2006.01); D02G 3/26 (2006.01); D02G 3/44 (2006.01); F03G 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC F03G 7/025 (2021.08) [D02G 3/16 (2013.01); D02G 3/26 (2013.01); D02G 3/441 (2013.01); F03G 7/012 (2021.08); F03G 7/029 (2021.08); D10B 2101/122 (2013.01); D10B 2401/16 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrochemical artificial muscle comprising:
(a) an actuating electrode that comprises a first twisted yarn or coiled yarn that is electrically conducting;
(b) an electronically conducting counter electrode;
(c) an ionic conductor that provides a path for ionic conduction between said actuating electrode and said counter electrode;
(d) a material that shifts the potential of zero charge of the actuating electrode, wherein
(i) the shift in potential increases the potential range over which the actuating electrode monotonically increases or monotonically decreases actuator stroke during increase in potential, and
(ii) the first twisted or coiled yarn in the electrochemical artificial muscle has a monotonic potential range fraction of at least 0.7.