Alliedsignal Inc.

Honeywell International Inc.

Changxing Cui

Ray H Baughman

Ji Su

Anvar A Zakhidov

Zafar Iqbal

Mikhail Kozlov

Theodore Robert Kazmar

Igor Udod

David Keith Dahlstrom

Lo-Min Liu

Ilyas I Khayrullin

Actuators are described that operate as a result of double-layer charge injection in electrodes having very high gravimetric surface areas and gravimetric capacitances. The actuator output of the actuators may be a mechanical displacement that can be used to accomplish mechanical work. As a result of the non-faradaic process and the actuator materials utilized, such as carbon nanotubes, the actuators have improved work capacity, power density, cycle life, and force generation capabilities. Other benefits include low voltage operation and high temperature performance. The actuators also convert a mechanical energy input to an electrical energy output. The actuators may be used to control either thermal, electrical or fluid transport or cause either the switching, phase shift, or attenuation of electromagnetic radiation.

Actuators using double-layer charging of high surface area materials

This invention relates to processes for the assembly of three-dimensional structures having periodicities on the scale of optical wavelengths, and at both smaller and larger dimensions, as well as compositions and applications therefore. Invention embodiments involve the self assembly of three-dimensionally periodic arrays of spherical particles, the processing of these arrays so that both infiltration and extraction processes can occur, one or more infiltration steps for these periodic arrays, and, in some instances, extraction steps. The product articles are three-dimensionally periodic on a scale where conventional processing methods cannot be used. Articles and materials made by these processes are useful as thermoelectrics and thermionics, electrochromic display elements, low dielectric constant electronic substrate materials, electron emitters (particularly for displays), piezoelectric sensors and actuators, electrostrictive actuators, piezochromic rubbers, gas storage materials, chromatographic separation materials, catalyst support materials, photonic bandgap materials for optical circuitry, and opalescent colorants for the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions.

Three dimensionally periodic structural assemblies in nanometer and longer scales

Three dimensionally periodic structural assemblies on nanometer and longer scales

Disclosed are mechanochemical processes for the synthesis of high performance electroceramics from organometallic precursors, and compositions resulting from the processes.

Method for the mechanochemical preparation of high performance ceramics

This invention relates to compositions and processes for the fabrication of piezoelectric composites having improved figures of merit for both sensor and non-sensor applications. These composites comprise piezoelectric particles embedded in a polymer matrix. The improvements of this invention result from discoveries of the effects of polymer bulk compliance, polymer anisotropy, polymer melt index, and polymer/ceramic wettability on performance. The loss corrected figure of merit (g.sub.h d.sub.h /tan.delta.) obtained for the 0-3 composites is as high as 10.5.times.10.sup.-10 m.sup.2 /N, which is about four times higher than previously published for 0-3 composites of the prior art. Methods are described for the introduction of anisotropy into ceramic particle/polymer composites, so that cancellation effects that degrade the piezoelectric properties of composites can be reduced.

Piezoelectrics and related devices from ceramics dispersed in polymers

Methods and compositions are described for the preparation of piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composites having improved properties for application in piezoelectric devices. These composites consist of piezoelectric particles embedded in a polymer matrix. The improvements of this invention result from discoveries of the effects of particle size, particle size dispersity, volumetric loading levels, ceramic dielectric constant, and polymer dielectric constant on performance. Various improved devices based on these compositions are also described.

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Whippany, NJ, United States of America

Changxing Cui