All-organic sensor actuator with dielectric resin sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transducers based on ionic polymer metal composites require metallic coatings, limiting their flexibility and applicability in various applications, while also facing challenges in dehydration and integration with organic functional circuits.
Innovation Solution
An all-organic device comprising a hydrated ion exchange polymeric sheet sandwiched between electrically conductive organic layers, sealed with a dielectric resin, which integrates organic functional circuits and can incorporate a plastic encapsulated battery, enabling flexible and dehydration-resistant operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic coatings are used in ionic polymer metal composites, then electrical conductivity is improved, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metallic to organic conductive materials, maintaining electrical conductivity while improving flexibility and adaptability. The organic conductive layers replace the metallic coatings in the ionic polymer composite structure, allowing the device to be more flexible and suitable for various applications including wearable sensors and soft robotics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining ionic polymer with organic conductive materials to create an all-organic composite structure. This composite approach maintains the electroactive properties of the ionic polymer while incorporating the flexibility and chemical tunability of organic conductors, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If metallic layers are removed, then environmental compatibility is improved, but integration with organic functional circuits becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using all-organic materials throughout the device structure, including organic conductive layers, ionic polymer, and encapsulation materials. This homogeneous organic composition improves environmental compatibility and biocompatibility while simplifying integration with organic functional circuits, as all components are chemically compatible and can be processed together.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The all-organic device provides enhanced flexibility, mechanical stability, and effective sensing/actuation capabilities without metallic layers, suitable for a broad range of applications including sensors and actuators, with improved durability and environmental compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet of a suitably hydrated ion exchange polymeric material... When a voltage is applied to these electrodes, the IPMC bends, while, when a displacement is applied a voltage is measured from the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
sealed by a dielectric resin for preventing dehydration of the sensible ion exchange polymeric material core sheet
Implementation Method 3
when a displacement is applied a voltage is measured from the electrodes
Implementation Method 4
as actuator of deformation of the same structure by applying an electrical voltage to the conductive layers
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor and/or actuator system in which functional circuitry is embedded in an all organic electromechanical transducer device is disclosed. The electromechanical transducer device exploits the behavior of a flexible sensible ionomeric material sheet as effective sensing or actuating member sandwiched between flexible organic electrodes when undergoing a deformation or being polarized at a certain drive voltage applied to the, electrodes, respectively. The completely embedded all organic system is realized with a process exploiting relatively low cost deposition and patterning techniques. The enhanced flexibility makes the all organic device suitable for new applications in fields ranging from biomedical to aerospace industry.