ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE COMPOSITE MATERIAL
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrically conductive composite material includes metallic nanostrands distributed throughout a matrix constructed of a polymer, ceramic, or elastomer. The nanostrands may have an average diameter under four microns and an average aspect ratio over ten-to-one. Larger fibers may also be included to enhance electrical conductivity or other properties. The nanostrands and/or fibers may be magnetically oriented to enhance electrical conductivity along one direction. A pressure sensor may be formed by utilizing an elastomer for the matrix. Electrical conductivity through the composite material varies in proportion to deflection of the elastomer. A composite material may be applied to a surface as an electrically conductive paint. Composite materials may be made by cutting a blank of the nanostrands to the desired shape, inserting the matrix, and curing the matrix. Alternatively, a suspension agent may first be used to dispose powdered nanostrands in the desired shape.
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Citations
60 Claims
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1-21. -21. (canceled)
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22. A method for manufacturing a composite material capable of conducting electricity, the method comprising:
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forming a plurality of metallic nanostrands having an average diameter less than about four microns and an average aspect ratio greater than about ten-to-one; providing a plurality of fibers having an average diameter greater than about four microns; and distributing the metallic nanostrands and the fibers substantially throughout a matrix formed substantially of a nonmetallic material. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for manufacturing a composite material, the composite material having enhanced electrical conductivity along one direction, the method comprising:
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forming a plurality of metallic nanostrands having an average diameter less than about four microns; distributing the metallic nanostrands substantially throughout a matrix formed substantially of a nonmetallic material; and applying magnetic flux to the metallic nanostrands to induce reorientation of the metallic nanostrands toward the direction. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for manufacturing a composite material, the composite material having enhanced electrical conductivity along one direction, the method comprising:
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forming a plurality of metallic nanostrands having an average diameter less than about four microns; and distributing the metallic nanostrands substantially throughout a matrix formed substantially of a nonmetallic material selected from the group consisting of elastomers and ceramics. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. A method for measuring deformation of a nonconductive material, the method comprising:
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forming a plurality of metallic nanostrands having an average diameter less than about four microns; distributing the metallic nanostrands substantially throughout a matrix formed of the nonconductive material to form a composite material comprising the metallic nanostrands and the nonconductive material; applying the deformation to the nonconductive material; and measuring electrical conductivity of the deformed composite material to determine a magnitude of the deformation. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method for manufacturing a composite article having a nonplanar shape, the method comprising:
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forming a blank comprising a plurality of metallic nanostrands having an average diameter less than about four microns removing a portion of the metallic nanostrands from the blank to provide a preform having the nonplanar shape; and directing a nonmetallic material into the preform such that the nonmetallic material substantially fills interstices between the metallic nanostrands to form a matrix having the nonplanar shape. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57)
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58. A method for manufacturing a composite article having a shape, the method comprising:
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forming metallic nanostrands in powder form; mixing the metallic nanostrands with a suspension agent such that the metallic nanostrands and the suspension agent receive the shape; removing the suspension agent; and directing the nonmetallic material into the metallic nanostrands such that the nonmetallic material substantially fills in interstices between the metallic nanostrands to form a matrix having the shape. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60)
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Specification