An actuator device comprises a stack formed from a plurality of photoresponsive layers, which deform in response to light, which are partitioned by respective deformable non-photoresponsive layers. The deformable non-photoresponsive layers guide light between and to the photoresponsive layers, and can follow the deformation of the photoresponsive layers.

Methods and a device for the continuous manufacturing of artificial muscle actuator device fibers are disclosed. The method includes: threading an untwisted fiber along the axis of a tube and inside the tube that includes a heating means to raise the localized temperature of a cross-section of the tube to a predetermined temperature; providing a tension on the untwisted fiber; and twisting the untwisted fiber while the fiber is within the tube.

Resistive heating elements are embedded in a shape memory polymer actuator. Sensing elements are associated with the resistive heating elements. The sensing elements sense changes in the resistive heating elements and correlate the changes with deformation of the shape memory polymer actuator.

An electroactive material actuator is clamped along one edge (12) and has a pre-bend about a first axis (21) which is parallel to said edge and/or about a second axis which is perpendicular to said edge. The actuator expands with expansion coefficients along the first and second axes which differ by less than 20%. This combination of isotropic (or near isotropic) expansion with a pre-bend across at least one of main axes of the device (i.e. the axes which form the general plane of the actuator) gives rise to various additional operating characteristics.

An object of this invention is to create an actuator in which the amount of deformation is maintained and no displacement in the reverse direction occurs, even when a constant voltage is continuously applied for a long period of time. As a means for achieving the above object, the invention provides a conductive thin film comprising a polymer gel containing at least one organic molecule selected from the group consisting of electron-donating organic molecules and electron-withdrawing organic molecules, a nano-carbon material, an ionic liquid, and a polymer.

Yarn energy harvesters containing conducing nanomaterials (such as carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn harvesters) that electrochemically convert tensile or torsional mechanical energy into electrical energy. Stretched coiled yarns can generate 250 W/kg of peak electrical power when cycled up to 24 Hz, and can generate up to 41.2 J/kg of electrical energy per mechanical cycle. Unlike for other harvesters, torsional rotation produces both tensile and torsional energy harvesting and no bias voltage is required, even when electrochemically operating in salt water. Since homochiral and heterochiral coiled harvester yarns provide oppositely directed potential changes when stretched, both contribute to output power in a dual-electrode yarn. These energy harvesters were used in the ocean to harvest wave energy, combined with thermally-driven artificial muscles to convert temperature fluctuations to electrical energy, sewn into textiles for use as self-powered respiration sensors, and used to power a light emitting diode and to charge a storage capacitor.

An actuating device and a method for manufacturing an actuating device, where the method includes wrapping a conductive wire (204) around a polymer fiber (202) at a set tension, and heating the polymer fiber and wire to a temperature that exceeds the glass transition temperature of the polymer fiber for a predetermined amount of time to partially embed the conductive wire into the polymer fiber. The method also includes cooling the polymer fiber and wire to below the glass transition temperature resulting in a wired polymer fiber wherein at least part of the conductive wire is embedded in the polymer fiber.

A method for manufacturing a separable artificial muscle fastener includes: securing one or more muscle loops of an artificial muscle fiber to a substrate such that at least a portion of the one or more muscle loops extends out from the substrate; annealing the artificial muscle fiber to retain the one or more muscle loops; and cutting and removing a portion of the one or more muscle loops to transform the one or more muscle loops into one or more muscle hooks. When the one or more muscle hooks are engaged with one or more holders, actuating the one or more muscle hooks disengages the one or more muscle hooks from the one or more holders.

A method for producing electrical energy. An electrolyte solution having a first concentration C.sub.A of a solute is placed in a first vessel having an electrode arranged so the electrode is contacted with the electrolyte solution of concentration C.sub.A. An electrolyte solution having a concentration C.sub.B of the same solute is placed in a second vessel having an electrode arranged so the electrode comes in contact with the electrolyte solution of concentration C.sub.B, the concentration C.sub.B being lower than the concentration C.sub.A. The first and the second vessels are separated by a membrane, the membrane having at least one nanochannel arranged to allow diffusion of the electrolyte solution from the first vessel to the second vessel through the at least one nanochannel. An inner surface of the at least one nanochannel is formed of at least one titanium oxide. Electrical energy generated by a potential difference existing between the electrodes is captured using a device having the first and second vessels.

An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode on a first primary surface of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode on a second primary surface of the electrolyte membrane, and an anode separator on the anode. The anode includes an anode catalyst layer on the first primary surface of the electrolyte membrane and an anode gas diffusion layer on the anode catalyst layer. The anode gas diffusion layer includes a porous carbon sheet that is a powder molded body.