Patent ID: 7586242

Claim:
A flat-plate low-profile actuator, comprising: a planar conductive polymer layer extending in a longitudinal direction; a first electrode in contact with the planar conductive polymer layer; a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode; and an electrolyte layer in contact with the planar conductive polymer layer, disposed in between the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein the first electrode is planar and comprises at least one band-like portion and at least one link portion, each of the at least one link portion extending in the longitudinal direction, each of the at least one band-like portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and each of the at least one link portion is shorter than each of the at least one band-like portion; and wherein application of an electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode deforms the planar conductive polymer layer such that the flat-plate low-profile actuator expands or contracts in the longitudinal direction; wherein the first electrode is a zigzag-shaped planar electrode.