The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 05, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 05, 1999
Ian W Hunter, Lincoln, MA (US);
Serge R Lafontaine, Lincoln, MA (US);
John D Madden, Somerville, MA (US);
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
A method for generating electricity is provided utilizing a conducting polymer, an electrolyte and a counterelectrode and applying mechanical work to the polymer thereby generating an electrical potential between the conducting polymer and the counterelectrode. Coupling of the electrical potential is then made to an external circuit. The resultant mechanical to electrical energy conversion efficiency is at least 0.01%. Also provided is a method for braking a mechanical member by utilizing a conducting polymer, coupling it to the mechanical member, generating an electrical potential between the conducting polymer and a counterelectrode and coupling the electrical potential to an external circuit. The step of coupling may include dissipating and/or storing electrical energy in the external circuit. The conducting polymer provided may preferably be polypyrrole. In another embodiment, a brake for the mechanical member is provided.