Abstract:
Large contrast ratio and rapid switching laminated electrochromic (EC) polymer device (50b) includes transparent electrode (42), cathodic EC polymer (44b), gel electrolyte (46), and counter electrode (52). Preferably the cathodic EC polymer is a poly(3,4 propylenedioxythiophene) derivative, PProDOT Me2. Counter-electrode (52) is a conductive coating deposited on transparent substrate, with preferred coatings including gold and highly conductive carbon. Lithography and sputtering can be employed to pattern a gold layer, while screen printing can be employed to similarly pattern graphite. Empirical studies of preferred device indicate a color change of high contrast ratio of transmittance (> 50 %T) is rapidly (0.5 1s) obtained upon applied 2.5V, repeatable to at least 10,000 times, as estimated by electrochemistry. Dual layer EC devices including PProDOT Me2 are also disclosed, as are methods for synthesizing preferred EC polymers.
Abstract:
Large contrast ratio and rapid switching laminated electrochromic (EC) polymer device (50b) includes transparent electrode (42), cathodic EC polymer (44b), gel electrolyte (46), and counter electrode (52). Preferably the cathodic EC polymer is a poly(3,4 propylenedioxythiophene) derivative, PProDOT Me2. Counter-electrode (52) is a conductive coating deposited on transparent substrate, with preferred coatings including gold and highly conductive carbon. Lithography and sputtering can be employed to pattern a gold layer, while screen printing can be employed to similarly pattern graphite. Empirical studies of preferred device indicate a color change of high contrast ratio of transmittance (> 50 %T) is rapidly (0.5 1s) obtained upon applied 2.5V, repeatable to at least 10,000 times, as estimated by electrochemistry. Dual layer EC devices including PProDOT Me2 are also disclosed, as are methods for synthesizing preferred EC polymers.
Abstract:
The present invention employs an optimized cross-sectional shape for a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) composite that is used in a spring-type actuator, an improved hybrid magnetic trigger for use in FSMA based actuators, an a FSMA composite based spring type actuator, an a FSMA based spring type actuator including a stack of triggering units and FSMA springs, a FSMA composite based torque actuator. The invention also includes a model that can be employed to evaluate different materials being considered as components a FSMA for a FSMA composite used in either a FSMA based torque actuator or a FSMA spring actuator.
Abstract:
Syntheses of a new blue EC monomer (ProDOT-MePro), and a new red EC monomer (ProDOP-Et2) are described. Two additional new types of EC monomers (15) based on 3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene include fluorinated EC monomers (15) and an EC monomer including silicon. EC polymer devices having more than one different color EC polymer to enable additional colors to be provided using subtractive color mixing are also described, as well as EC polymer devices incorporating a logo, image, or text, are generally obscured when the device is colored, but become visible when the device is not colored. Also described are EC polymer devices that include a cathodic EC polymer layer, a gel electrolyte, a counter electrode, and reference electrode. Working prototypes of such devices exhibit significant increases in the speed of transition of the EC device from a colored state to a transparent state.
Abstract:
The present invention employs an optimized cross-sectional shape for a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) composite that is used in a spring-type actuator, an improved hybrid magnetic trigger for use in FSMA based actuators, an a FSMA composite based spring type actuator, an a FSMA based spring type actuator including a stack of triggering units and FSMA springs, a FSMA composite based torque actuator. The invention also includes a model that can be employed to evaluate different materials being considered as components a FSMA for a FSMA composite used in either a FSMA based torque actuator or a FSMA spring actuator.
Abstract:
A method for making a ductile and porous shape memory alloy (SMA) using spark plasma sintering, and an energy absorbing structure including a ductile and porous SMA are disclosed. In an exemplary structure, an SMA spring encompasses a generally cylindrical energy absorbing material. The function of the SMA spring is to resist the bulging of the cylinder under large compressive loading, thereby increasing a buckling load that the cylindrical energy absorbing material can accommodate. The SMA spring also contributes to the resistance of the energy absorbing structure to an initial compressive loading. Preferably, the cylinder is formed of ductile, porous and super elastic SMA. A working prototype includes a NiTi spring, and a porous NiTi cylinder or rod.
Abstract:
Three green EC materials based on thiophene, and a green EC material based on pyrazine are disclosed. A first thiophene derivative (2,3-Di-thiophen-2-yl-thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine), which was previously investigated as a nonlinear optical material, is here disclosed for its use as an EC material, and for its incorporation into an EC device. Synthesis of two new thiophene derivatives (2,5-di(thien-2-yl)-3,4-di(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-thiophene and 2,5-(2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-3,4-di(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-thiophene), and a new pyrazine derivative (2,3-dibenzyl-5,7-di(thien-2-yl) thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine) are also disclosed, since these materials are all able to selectively change to a green color state, and can be polymerized to achieve a green EC polymer.
Abstract:
Electropolymerization of EC monomers is employed to obtain an EC polymer film deposited on a substrate. A first embodiment of a method to produce the film employs cyclic voltammetry alone, while a second embodiment (212) deposits a very thin homogeneous layer using chronoamperometry (216), and then cyclic voltammetry is employed to increase the density of the film (218). Another aspect of the present invention is directed to specific web like configurations for a grid of conductive material deposited onto a transparent substrate. The web like configuration is based either on concentric circles, or on concentric ellipses. Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to an imaging system including a digital window that is disposed between a prism and a patterned analytic layer.
Abstract:
The present invention employs an optimized cross-sectional shape for a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) composite that is used in a spring- type actuator, an improved hybrid magnetic trigger for use in FSMA based actuators, an a FSMA composite based spring type actuator, an a FSMA based spring type actuator including a stack of triggering units and FSMA springs, a FSMA composite based torque actuator. The invention also includes a model th at can be employed to evaluate different materials being considered as componen ts a FSMA for a FSMA composite used in either a FSMA based torque actuator or a FSMA spring actuator.