Patent 06707236 - Non-contact electroactive polymer electrodes > Summary

Patent No. US 06707236

Published on Mar 16, 2004

Application No. 10/059033

Filed on Jan 29, 2002

Priority Date -

Pelrine, Ronald E. - Boulder, CO (20)

The invention relates to systems and methods for electrically communicating with an electroactive polymer using one or more electrodes that do not contact the polymer. A non-contact electrode communicates charge to or from a portion of the polymer, typically through a medium. For example, the medium may include air, a vacuum, or a specialized gas that facilitates transfer of charge between the electrode and the polymer. The charge may include positive or negative ions or electrodes and may act to actuate the polymer, or diminish actuation applied to polymer in one or more specific polymer portions.