Patent ID: 7274128

Claim:
A nanostructured actuator comprising: a) electrical contacts; b) an actuation region between the electrical contacts, the actuation region comprising: (i) a plurality of nanocomposite layered structures each comprising: (1) inorganic material layers having surface acidity; and (2) pillared organic material structures between the inorganic material layers, the pillared organic material structures having an orientation responsive to a change in the surface acidity of adjacent inorganic material layers; and (ii) an elastic matrix holding the plurality of nanocomposite layered structures embedded within, the elastic matrix being adapted to allow transport of chemical species capable of changing the surface acidity of the inorganic material layers; c) a separator region between the electrical contacts; and d) a proton generation region between the electrical contacts capable of reversible electrochemical production and elimination of protons.