Patent ID: 8257562
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: B01L,B41C,C08G

Abstract:
1. A wettability switch, including an electrolyte element, and an electrochemically active element having a wetting surface with switchable wetting properties, said electrochemically active element comprising: an electrochemically active polymer, and surface active molecules each having a lyophobic portion and a lyophilic portion, wherein the electrochemically active element and the electrolyte element are in contact with each other, and are configured to exchange ions when exposed to an electric potential whereby a redox state of said electrochemically active polymer is altered, and wherein each of said surface active molecules exposes one of said lyophobic portion and said lyophilic portion towards said wetting surface, an identity of said one of said lyophobic portion and said lyophilic portion depending on a redox state of said electrochemically active polymer.