Method for Producing Electrically and/or Magnetically Controllable Membranes and Magnetic Actuator with Such a Membrane

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This patent describes a method for making thin, flexible membranes embedded with magnetic or electrically responsive nanoparticles. The method uses electric or magnetic fields to precisely control where these particles accumulate within the membrane, allowing for the creation of selectively responsive areas. These membranes can then be solidified and used in devices like magnetic actuators, switches, or pumps, where mechanical movement is controlled by electric or magnetic stimuli.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Miniaturized pumps or valves in microfluidic devices for medical or chemical analysis
• Precision switch mechanisms in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
• Smart actuators in robotics or automation systems
• Controllable membranes in sensors or lab-on-a-chip devices
• Variable permeability barriers in fluid control systems

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Allows precise spatial control of magnetic or electric properties in flexible membranes
• Preserves the elasticity of membrane regions not embedded with particles
• Enables more efficient, compact designs for devices needing remotely actuated components
• Potential for integration into miniature or sensitive equipment due to selective responsiveness
• Improves reliability and customization in micro-actuation and control applications

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the production of membranes that can be electrically and/or magnetically activated, particularly for switches or pumps. In the method, microparticles and/or nanoparticles (5) having magnetic and/or electric properties are mixed with a matrix material in a flowable state, which has elastic properties after solidification. The matrix material is applied to a substrate as a layer (1), and a distribution of the particles in the layer (1) is selectively modified by means of one or more electric and/or magnetic fields in order to achieve an accumulation (2, 3) of the particles (5) on one or a plurality of locations in the layer (1). The layer (1) is subsequently solidified using the accumulated particles in order to form one or more membranes (16). The invention also relates to a magnetic actuator having such a membrane. The method enables the use of elastic membranes having magnetic, or magnetizable, particles incorporated therein, without having an adverse influence on the elastic properties in certain regions of the membrane.