Patent ID: 8368285

Claim:
An actuator device, comprising: an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode, wherein at least a portion of the negative electrode is formed with a material formulated to at least one of intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with a first portion of the positive electrode to an extent different than a second portion of the positive electrode upon charging or discharging of the electrochemical cell such that a differential strain is imparted between the first portion and the second portion of the positive electrode, the electrodes being mechanically coupled such that the differential strain produces a displacement of at least a portion of the electrochemical cell, at least a portion of at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode having a non-planar configuration prior to charging or discharging along an axis thereof to define a fold axis, the displacement of the at least a portion of the electrochemical cell being preferentially enhanced about the fold axis.