Abstract: A pressure actuated switching device is made by applying at least a first layer of fluid conductive polymeric coating material to a surface of a sheet of green rubber material. The conductive polymeric coating is solidified to form an electrode, and the sheet of green rubber material is vulcanized. Two strips of green rubber may be simultaneously processed and then joined such that the respective layers of conductive coating are in spaced apart opposing relationship. The conductive polymeric coating may optionally be formulated with green rubber. Optionally, a blowing agent may be included in the conductive coating formulation so as to provide a cellular polymeric foam piezoresistive material from which the electrode is constructed. The green rubber sheets may be processed by a continuous rotary method or by a linear method using a clamping press having opening and closing dies for heating and joining the strips of green rubber.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification device (RFID) includes a non-conductive first substrate, an integrated circuit device mounted to the carrier substrate and having at least one conductive terminal and a patterned conductive coating applied to the non-conductive substrate and in contact with the at least one conductive terminal. The patterned conductive coating includes a polymeric matrix and a conductive particulate filler, the polymeric matrix being capable of undergoing at least 2% deformation elastically and without significant change in the conductive properties of the patterned conductive coating serving as an antenna. The RFID can be fabricated by affixing an IC chip to a surface of a substrate having a patterned conductive coating and applying a bridging coating to connect terminals of the IC chip to the antenna.