Electrically conductive composite material
First Claim
1. A method for manufacturing a composite material capable of conducting electricity, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a plurality of metallic branching nanostrands having an average diameter less than about four microns and an average aspect ratio greater than about ten-to-one;
(b) providing a plurality of fibers having an average diameter greater than about four microns;
(c) distributing the fibers substantially throughout a matrix formed substantially of a nonmetallic material; and
(d) dispersing the metal branching nanostrands substantially throughout the matrix as liberated metallic branching nanostrands by minimal shear mixing, the liberated metallic branching nanostrands retaining substantial lengths, large aspect ratios, and abundant lateral branching.
1 Assignment
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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
24 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing a composite material capable of conducting electricity, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a plurality of metallic branching nanostrands having an average diameter less than about four microns and an average aspect ratio greater than about ten-to-one; (b) providing a plurality of fibers having an average diameter greater than about four microns; (c) distributing the fibers substantially throughout a matrix formed substantially of a nonmetallic material; and (d) dispersing the metal branching nanostrands substantially throughout the matrix as liberated metallic branching nanostrands by minimal shear mixing, the liberated metallic branching nanostrands retaining substantial lengths, large aspect ratios, and abundant lateral branching. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for measuring deformation in an article made substantially of a nonconductive material, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a plurality of metallic branching nanostrands having an average diameter less than about four microns; (b) dispersing the metallic branching nanostrands by minimal shear mixing substantially throughout a matrix of the nonconductive material as liberated metallic branching nanostrands, the liberated metallic branching nanostrands dispersed by minimal shear mixing retaining substantial lengths, large aspect ratios, and abundant lateral branching, the step of dispersing by minimal shear mixing thereby producing a composite material comprising the liberated metallic branching nanostrands and the nonconductive material; (c) forming the composite material into an article; (d) causing deformation to the article to produce a deformed article, the deformation comprising at least one of the group of deformations consisting of tension and compression; and (e) measuring the electrical conductivity of the deformed article to determine a magnitude of the deformation thereof, the deformation of the article causing the electrical conductivity of the article to increase. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification