Patent ID: 7829054

Claim:
An actuator including at least one active electrode ( 9 ) disposed in an electrolyte ( 11 ) and comprising at least two webs ( 3 ) of an electrically conductive material arranged in spaced relationship along a longitudinal axis with a plurality of geometrically anisotropic nanoparticles ( 2 ) disposed thereon and oriented uni-directionally in the direction of the longitudinal axis, with an electrically conductive connection between the nanoparticles and the webs ( 3 ) wherein the axial ends of the nanoparticles are electrically connected orthogonal to the webs via electrically conductive or semiconducting material-interlocking connections and a potential difference with respect to ground being applicable to the active electrode ( 9 ) by a voltage or current source ( 12 ), the nanoparticles ( 2 ) being connected in each case to two webs and the connections being material-interlocking, said nanoparticles ( 2 ) consisting of carbon, the webs ( 3 ) consisting of a carbide-forming conductor material or being coated by the conductor material, and the connection consisting mainly of a carbide of the conductor material, the conductor material as well as the carbide being an electrical conductor or semiconductor.