Electrically conductive synthetic fiber and fibrous substrate, method of making, and use thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new conductive polymeric material-based fibers and textiles that can offer electrical conductivity without relying on expensive metals like silver, while also providing a range of color options and suitable for various industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of electrically conductive synthetic leather, fibrous substrates, and fibers using polymeric fibers with desiccant particles at their surface, coated with an electrically conductive polymer film, which achieves conductivity without the need for silver, allowing for semiconductive behavior at low temperatures and metallic behavior at high temperatures, with sheet resistances ranging from 0.4 to 400 Ohms/square.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive metals like silver are used to achieve electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from precious metals to intrinsically conducting polymers, achieving comparable electrical conductivity through polymer-based materials that offer lower cost, flexibility in color, and suitability for high-volume manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive silver with cost-effective conducting polymer materials, achieving the desired electrical conductivity function at significantly reduced material cost while maintaining performance requirements
2Quantity of substance
If intrinsically conducting polymers are used, then cost is reduced and color flexibility is improved, but electrical conductivity may be insufficient compared to metals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures where intrinsically conducting polymers are integrated into fibrous substrates with desiccant particles, creating a composite system that achieves both cost-effectiveness and sufficient electrical conductivity for applications like electrodes and heating elements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the creation of cost-effective, conductive materials suitable for applications such as electrodes, resistive heating elements, and thermoelectrics, with the ability to achieve low sheet resistances comparable to silver fabrics without using precious metals, offering flexibility in color and scalability for high-volume manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive polymer film disposed on at least a portion of the polymeric fibers and at least in partial contact with the desiccant particles
Data Source
AI summary
Electrically conductive synthetic fiber and fibrous substrate (e.g. synthetic leather) are disclosed. The electrically conductive polymeric fiber and polymeric fibrous substrate are made electrically conductive by the use of an electrically conductive polymer disposed on the fibers and in contact with inorganic desiccant particles located at the surface of the fibers. The new material finds utility as an electrode for devices and as a resistive heating element, and as a pathway to efficient thermoelectrics.