Lintec of America, Inc.

Jaeah Lee

Marcio Dias Lima

Raquel Ovalle-Robles

Sergey Li

Polymer and nanotube-based actuators that include a thermochromic coating is disclosed. The actuators include a thermochromic material applied to a surface of the core fiber or the conductive element. Upon heating the actuator, the thermochromic coating undergoes a color transition to indicate a pre-determined temperature correlated to a rated critical temperature, important temperature of the actuator components, or a level of actuation.

Thermochromic actuators

Thermochromic displays that accomplish a thermochromic transition in less than 100 milliseconds are described. This rapid response time is accomplished by including conductive structures within the thermochromic display and placing the conductive structures in direct contact with and/or proximate to a thermochromic layer. The conductive structures can be disposed between the thermochromic layer and a film that carries the message to be produced. Because of the high thermal conductivity of the conductive structures, heat can be conducted to and/or conducted away from the thermochromic layer much more rapidly than in the absence of conductive structures.

Thermochromic display with conductive structures

A triboelectric generator include at least two yarns, one of which has been infiltrated with a material having a positive triboelectric affinity and one of which has been infiltrated with a material having a negative triboelectric affinity. The at least two yarns are threaded through holes within a disk so that both of the yarns are disposed on both sides of the disk and pass through the holes within the disk. The at least two yarns are helically wrapped (or 'coiled') together on both sides of the disk. During uncoiling, the moving contact between the two yarns, infiltrated with materials having opposite triboelectric affinities, causes an electrical charge to develop. The generated electrical charge can be conducted away for use as electricity.

Growing community of inventors

Richardson, TX, United States of America

Jaeah Lee