Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronics assembly includes forming a base layer, forming a first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer onto the base layer using an additive manufacturing process, placing an electronics component onto the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer, the electronics component comprising a plurality of vias, and forming a second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer over the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and over at least a portion of the electronics component using an additive manufacturing process, wherein a material of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer extends through the vias to contact the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and the vias, thereby forming a bond therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-layer electrode for a capacitive pressure sensor is manufactured according to a method including co-extruding a conductive polymer layer and a dielectric foam layer and forming coextruded layers of the capacitive pressure sensor and pressure rolling an XY layer and the coextruded layers together and forming the multi-layer electrode.

Abstract: A vehicle applique includes a base structure and a polymeric coating disposed on the base structure. The polymeric coating at least partially covers an outer surface of the base structure. A diffraction grating is integrally defined by the polymeric coating. The diffraction grating has a thickness in a range of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

Abstract: A multi-layer electrode for a capacitive pressure sensor is manufactured according to a method including co-extruding a conductive polymer layer and a dielectric foam layer and forming coextruded layers of the capacitive pressure sensor and pressure rolling an XY layer and the coextruded layers together and forming the multi-layer electrode.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a polymeric material, a first filler, and a second filler. The polymeric material can be present at a concentration of at least about 35% by weight of the vehicle component. The first filler can be a carbon-containing filler dispersed within the polymeric material. The carbon-containing filler can be present at a concentration of at least about 20% by weight of the vehicle component. The second filler includes a substrate and carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes extend from a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronics assembly includes forming a base layer, forming a first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer onto the base layer using an additive manufacturing process, placing an electronics component onto the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer, the electronics component comprising a plurality of vias, and forming a second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer over the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and over at least a portion of the electronics component using an additive manufacturing process, wherein a material of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer extends through the vias to contact the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and the vias, thereby forming a bond therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a polymeric material, a first filler, and a second filler. The polymeric material can be present at a concentration of at least about 35% by weight of the vehicle component. The first filler can be a carbon-containing filler dispersed within the polymeric material. The carbon-containing filler can be present at a concentration of at least about 20% by weight of the vehicle component. The second filler includes a substrate and carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes extend from a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A multi-layer electrode of a capacitive pressure sensor is manufactured by roll to roll printing a conductive layer onto a polymer layer and forming a mutual capacitance sensor layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, co-extruding a conductive polymer layer and a foam dielectric layer and forming a coextruded layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, and pressure rolling the mutual capacitance sensor layer and the coextruded layer together and forming the multi-layer electrode. The conductive polymer layer includes between about 2 wt. % to about 15 wt. % graphene and between about 0.01 wt. % and 5 wt. % of the carbon nanotubes. Also, the conductive polymer layer has a flexural modulus equal to or greater than 5,000 MPa and an electrical resistivity less than or equal to 10 Ohm/mm3, and the polymer layer and/or the conductive polymer layer is formed from recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A vehicle console includes a trim ring disposed over a periphery of a housing. The trim ring includes a polymeric material and is electrically conductive and grounded. A proximity switch assembly is retained in the housing. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity sensor proximate a sensing pad for generating an activation field. The sensing pad is proximate the trim ring.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronics assembly includes forming a base layer using an additive manufacturing process, forming a first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer onto the base layer using an additive manufacturing process, placing an electronics component onto the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer, the electronics component comprising a plurality of vias, forming a second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer over the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and over at least a portion of the electronics component using an additive manufacturing process, wherein a material of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer extends through the vias to contact the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and the vias, thereby forming a bond therebetween, and forming a protective layer over at least a portion of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermedia

Abstract: A vehicle console includes a trim ring disposed over a periphery of a housing. The trim ring includes a polymeric material and is electrically conductive and grounded. A proximity switch assembly is retained in the housing. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity sensor proximate a sensing pad for generating an activation field. The sensing pad is proximate the trim ring.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is an automotive acoustic panel including a porous sound-absorption material made from a polymer and an expanded perlite. One or more silane compounds may be coupled or coated onto the expanded perlite while a coupling agent and a chemical foaming agent may additionally be added to the automotive acoustic panel.

Abstract: A vehicle applique includes a base structure and a polymeric coating disposed on the base structure. The polymeric coating at least partially covers an outer surface of the base structure. A diffraction grating is integrally defined by the polymeric coating. The diffraction grating has a thickness in a range of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

Abstract: Methods for preparing thermoplastic automotive appliques include applying heat from an auxiliary heater to a tool cavity of a forming tool. The auxiliary heater is activated for a period of time until a temperature of the heated tool cavity is heated to less than or equal to about a melting temperature of the thermoplastic. The heated tool cavity is filled with the thermoplastic, and a cooling fluid is pulsed through the forming tool. The thermoplastic applique is then removed, and the supply of cooling fluid is turned off.

Abstract: A multi-layer electrode of a capacitive pressure sensor is manufactured by roll to roll printing a conductive layer onto a polymer layer and forming a mutual capacitance sensor layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, co-extruding a conductive polymer layer and a foam dielectric layer and forming a coextruded layer of the capacitive pressure sensor, and pressure rolling the mutual capacitance sensor layer and the coextruded layer together and forming the multi-layer electrode. The conductive polymer layer includes between about 2 wt. % to about 15 wt. % graphene and between about 0.01 wt. % and 5 wt. % of the carbon nanotubes. Also, the conductive polymer layer has a flexural modulus equal to or greater than 5,000 MPa and an electrical resistivity less than or equal to 10 Ohm/mm3, and the polymer layer and/or the conductive polymer layer is formed from recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A vehicle applique includes a base structure and a polymeric coating disposed on the base structure. The polymeric coating at least partially covers an outer surface of the base structure. A diffraction grating is integrally defined by the polymeric coating. The diffraction grating has a thickness in a range of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronics assembly includes forming a base layer using an additive manufacturing process, forming a first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer onto the base layer using an additive manufacturing process, placing an electronics component onto the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer, the electronics component comprising a plurality of vias, forming a second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer over the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and over at least a portion of the electronics component using an additive manufacturing process, wherein a material of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer extends through the vias to contact the first thermally and electrically conductive intermediate layer and the vias, thereby forming a bond therebetween, and forming a protective layer over at least a portion of the second thermally and electrically conductive intermedia

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a polymeric material, a first filler, and a second filler. The polymeric material can be present at a concentration of at least about 35% by weight of the vehicle component. The first filler can be a carbon-containing filler dispersed within the polymeric material. The carbon-containing filler can be present at a concentration of at least about 20% by weight of the vehicle component. The second filler includes a substrate and carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes extend from a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure details motor vehicle wiper systems and associated methods for heating wiper blades of the wiper systems. In exemplary embodiments, a wiper blade of a wiper may include a beam blade portion, a tip portion, and a heater element. Each of the beam blade portion, the tip portion, and the heater element may include a different material composition. The material composition of the heater element, for example, may include a thermally conductive polymer. The temperature of the blade may be regulated by adjusting a current flow through the thermally conductive polymer heater element.

Abstract: A composite material includes polypropylene in an amount between 60 wt. % and 95 wt. %, glass bubbles in an amount between 3.0 wt. % and 20.0 wt. %, a secondary structural filler of magnesium oxysulfate or wollastonite in an amount greater than 0.0 wt. % and up to 30.0 wt. %, and at least one additive. In one form of the composite material, the secondary structural filler is either magnesium oxysulfate or wollastonite. In another form the magnesium oxysulfate is in an amount between 2.0 wt. % and 6.0 wt. %. in yet another form the wollastonite is in an amount between 6.0 wt. % and 12.0 wt. %.