An electrochemically driven actuator based on a nanostructured carbon material

A new type of electrochemically driven actuator is described. This actuator uses graphitic carbon as the electroactive material (as opposed to the polymeric films used in previous devices of this type), and it is the first example of an actuator based on a nanostructured material. The actuator consists of branched carbon nanotubules embedded within the pores of a microporous alumina template membrane. Electrochemical [Li.sup.+] intercalation causes this nanotubule-containing membrane to flex, and electrochemical deintercalation causes the membrane to relax to its original position. The characteristics of this new actuator are described here.