Abstract: A sensor configured to determine a physical state of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle includes an electrode containing nanoscale metal fibers. The electrode is located within the vehicle to be in contact with the vehicle occupant. The sensor also includes a controller configured to determine the physical state of the vehicle occupant based on an output of the electrode.

Abstract: A sensor configured to determine a physical state of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle includes an electrode containing nanoscale metal fibers. The electrode is located within the vehicle to be in contact with the vehicle occupant. The sensor also includes a controller configured to determine the physical state of the vehicle occupant based on an output of the electrode.

Abstract: A system configured to generate electricity based upon a temperature difference between a vehicle occupant and a portion of a vehicle interior is described herein. The system includes a thermoelectric device containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes incorporated into an interior surface of the vehicle. The thermoelectric device has a first side in contact with the vehicle occupant and a second side opposite the first side in contact with the portion of the vehicle interior. The thermoelectric device is configured to supply electrical power to an electrical system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor assembly configured for use in a motor vehicle is presented. The sensor assembly includes a sensor device such as a camera, LIDAR, RADAR, or ultrasonic transceiver, and a housing that is at least partially formed of an electrically conductive polymeric material. The housing has a pair of electrically conductive terminals connected to the electrically conductive polymeric material. The pair of electrically conductive terminals are configured to be interconnected with an electrical power supply. When the terminals are connected to the power supply, the housing heats to remove snow, ice, frost and/or condensation from the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is suitable for use with a back-up camera, blind spot warning system, lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control system and/or autonomous driving control system.

Abstract: A method of enhancing surface electrical conductivity of an article formed of a conductive polymer material, such as a conductive polymer film, includes the step of providing an article formed of a conductive polymer. The conductive polymer is made up of a dielectric polymeric material and conductive fibers. A desired pressure is applied to at least a portion of the article while simultaneously heating at least a portion of the article to a desired temperature. The desired pressure and the desired temperature are maintained on at least a portion of the article for a desired time period. This method reduces a polymer-rich skin layer on the surface of the conductive polymer material and helps to randomize the orientation of the conductive fibers on the surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of sealing a wire terminal assembly including a conductive cable core connected to a conductive terminal along a conductive connection interface. According to the method, a coating composition is dispensed over the conductive connection interface. The coating composition includes (1) a polymerizable compound with an unsaturated bond, and (2) a free radical photoinitiator. The dispensed coating composition is then subjected to actinic radiation for a duration of less than 0.7 seconds.

Abstract: A system configured to generate electricity based upon a temperature difference between a vehicle occupant and a portion of a vehicle interior is described herein. The system includes a thermoelectric device containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes incorporated into an interior surface of the vehicle. The thermoelectric device has a first side in contact with the vehicle occupant and a second side opposite the first side in contact with the portion of the vehicle interior. The thermoelectric device is configured to supply electrical power to an electrical system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a self-healing layer is disposed over a conductive connection interface between a conductive terminal and a conductive cable core. The self-healing layer is the product of a free radical polymerization reaction of a coating composition that is applied over the conductive connection interface by depositing a coating by spray application of a fluid coating composition having a viscosity of 200 to 2500 centipoise over the conductive connection interface. The coating composition comprises (1) a polymerizable compound comprising an unsaturated bond and (2) greater than 4 parts per hundred by weight of a free radical photoinitiator, based on the total weight of polymerizable compound.

Abstract: A system configured to determine a physical state of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle is described herein. The system includes an electrode in contact with the vehicle occupant and containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes and a controller that determines the physical state of the vehicle occupant based on an output of the electrode. The controller initiates a countermeasure based on the physical state of the vehicle occupant. A system configured to generate electricity based upon a temperature difference between a vehicle occupant and a portion of a vehicle interior is also presented herein. This system includes a thermoelectric device containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes. The thermoelectric device has a first side in contact with a vehicle occupant and a second side in contact with a portion of the vehicle interior. The thermoelectric device supplies electrical power to an electrical system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An attachment device includes a central body formed of a plastic material and defining a cavity configured to receive a temperature probe and a plurality of straps extending from the central body. Each strap of the plurality of straps is configured to secure a cable to the central body. The central body defines a wall having a first side configured to be in contact with the temperature probe and a second side in contact with a cable. This attachment device may notably be used in an electrical connection assembly having a connector, a temperature sensor disposed within the device, and at least two cables.

Abstract: A multi-strand composite electrical conductor assembly includes a strand formed of carbon nanotubes and an elongated metallic strand having substantially the same length as the carbon nanotube strand. The assembly may further include a plurality of metallic strands that have substantially the same length as the carbon nanotube strand. The carbon nanotube strand may be located as a central strand and the plurality of metallic strands surround the carbon nanotube strand. The metallic strand may be formed of a material such as copper, silver, gold, or aluminum and may be plated with a material such as nickel, tin, copper, silver, and/or gold. Alternatively or additionally, the metallic strand may be clad with a material such as nickel, tin, copper, silver, and/or gold.

Abstract: A system configured to determine a physical state of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle is described herein. The system includes an electrode in contact with the vehicle occupant and containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes and a controller that determines the physical state of the vehicle occupant based on an output of the electrode. The controller initiates a countermeasure based on the physical state of the vehicle occupant. A system configured to generate electricity based upon a temperature difference between a vehicle occupant and a portion of a vehicle interior is also presented herein. This system includes a thermoelectric device containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes. The thermoelectric device has a first side in contact with a vehicle occupant and a second side in contact with a portion of the vehicle interior. The thermoelectric device supplies electrical power to an electrical system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A coated article is disclosed in which a self-healing layer is disposed over a substrate. The self-healing layer is the product of a free radical polymerization reaction of a coating composition applied over the substrate, the coating composition including: (1) an oligomer comprising at least two active unsaturated bonds, (2) a monomer comprising an unsaturated bond, and (3) a compound comprising a plurality of thiol groups.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of sealing a wire terminal assembly including a conductive cable core connected to a conductive terminal along a conductive connection interface. According to the method, a coating composition is dispensed over the conductive connection interface. The coating composition includes (1) a polymerizable compound with an unsaturated bond, and (2) a free radical photoinitiator. The dispensed coating composition is then subjected to actinic radiation for a duration of less than 0.7 seconds.

Abstract: A wire terminal assembly is disclosed for a cable conductive core. A conductive terminal is connected to the conductive cable core along a conductive connection interface. A coating is disposed over the conductive connection interface. The coating includes the free radical addition polymerizate of a coating composition including: (1) a polymerizable compound comprising an unsaturated bond, and (2) greater than 4 parts per hundred by weight of a free radical photoinitiator, based on the total weight of polymerizable compound.

Abstract: An electrically conductive polymer film is presented. The electrically conductive polymer film includes a polymeric base material, a plurality of electrically conductive nanoparticles randomly oriented within the polymeric base material, and a pair of electrodes electrically interconnected with the plurality of electrically conductive nanoparticles. The electrodes are configured to be connected to an electrical power source. The polymeric base material may e.g. be polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyester, and/or polyamide. The plurality of electrically conductive nanoparticles may be metallic nanowires, metal-plated nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoparticles, and/or graphene oxide nanoparticles. The plurality of electrically conductive nanoparticles may also or alternatively include an inherently conductive polymer such as polylanine, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene polystyrene sulfonate, and/or 4,4-cyclopentadithiophene.

Abstract: A sensor assembly configured for use in a motor vehicle is presented. The sensor assembly includes a sensor device such as a camera, LIDAR, RADAR, or ultrasonic transceiver, and a housing that is at least partially formed of an electrically conductive polymeric material. The housing has a pair of electrically conductive terminals connected to the electrically conductive polymeric material. The pair of electrically conductive terminals are configured to be interconnected with an electrical power supply. When the terminals are connected to the power supply, the housing heats to remove snow, ice, frost and/or condensation from the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is suitable for use with a back-up camera, blind spot warning system, lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control system and/or autonomous driving control system.

Abstract: An attachment device includes a central body formed of a plastic material and defining a cavity configured to receive a temperature probe and a plurality of straps extending from the central body. Each strap of the a plurality of straps configured to secure a cable to the central body. The central body defines a wall having a first side configured to be in contact with the temperature probe and a second side in contact with a cable. This attachment device may notably be used in an electrical connection assembly having a connector, a temperature sensor disposed within the device, and at least two cables.

Abstract: A method of enhancing surface electrical conductivity of an article formed of a conductive polymer material, such as a conductive polymer film, includes the step of providing an article formed of a conductive polymer . The conductive polymer is made up of a dielectric polymeric material and conductive fibers. A desired pressure is applied to at least a portion of the article while simultaneously heating at least a portion of the article to a desired temperature. The desired pressure and the desired temperature are maintained on at least a portion of the article for a desired time period. This method reduces a polymer-rich skin layer on the surface of the conductive polymer material and helps to randomize the orientation of the conductive fibers on the surface.

Abstract: A multi-strand composite electrical conductor assembly includes a strand formed of carbon nanotubes and an elongated metallic strand having substantially the same length as the carbon nanotube strand. The assembly may further include a plurality of metallic strands that have substantially the same length as the carbon nanotube strand. The carbon nanotube strand may be located as a central strand and the plurality of metallic strands surround the carbon nanotube strand. The metallic strand may be formed of a material such as copper, silver, gold, or aluminum and may be plated with a material such as nickel, tin, copper, silver, and/or gold. Alternatively or additionally, the metallic strand may be clad with a material such as nickel, tin, copper, silver, and/or gold.