Abstract: Disclosed are one or more proximity sensors. At least one of the proximity sensors includes a first dielectric layer, an electrically conductive layer, and an electrode. The first dielectric layer includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The electrically conductive layer is positioned proximate to one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the first dielectric layer. The electrode includes an outer surface. The outer surface of the electrode is positioned proximate the inner surface of the first dielectric layer. The outer surface of the electrode and the electrically conductive layer define a gap.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a transparent conductor is provided. The method includes forming a nanowire dispersion layer on a substrate, forming a nanowire network layer on the substrate by drying the nanowire dispersion layer, and forming a matrix material layer on the nanowire network layer.

Abstract: Composite transparent conductors are described, which comprise a primary conductive medium based on metal nanowires and a secondary conductive medium based on a continuous conductive film.

Abstract: A transparent conductor including a conductive layer coated on a substrate is described. More specifically, the conductive layer comprises a network of nanowires that may be embedded in a matrix. The conductive layer is optically clear, patternable and is suitable as a transparent electrode in visual display devices such as touch screens, liquid crystal displays, plasma display panels and the like.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus and methods of use of a proximity sensor. An example apparatus includes a transducer circuit having a sensor circuit, the sensor circuit including an electrode, an electrical-signal sensing circuit, a substrate to support and at least partially enclose the transducer circuit and the electrical-signal sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The transducer circuit converts changes in capacitance into electrical signals, the changes in capacitance being carried by the electrode and being responsive to pressure and/or electric field modulations attributable to hemodynamic or pulse-wave events. The electrical-signal sensing circuit senses the events in response to the electrical signals from the transducer circuit. The substrate can conform to a portion of a user and locate the sensor circuit sufficiently close to the user's skin for electrically sensing the hemodynamic or pulse-wave events.

Abstract: A transparent conductor including a conductive layer coated on a substrate is described. More specifically, the conductive layer comprises a network of nanowires that may be embedded in a matrix. The conductive layer is optically clear, patternable and is suitable as a transparent electrode in visual display devices such as touch screens, liquid crystal displays, plasma display panels and the like.

Abstract: A transparent conductor including a conductive layer coated on a substrate is described. More specifically, the conductive layer comprises a network of nanowires which may be embedded in a matrix. The conductive layer is optically transparent and flexible. It can be coated or laminated onto a variety of substrates, including flexible and rigid substrates.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a transparent conductor includes the following steps. The first step is drawing a substrate from a first reel to a second reel along a travelling path, and along the travelling path. Next step is forming a metal nanowire dispersion layer on the substrate and then drying the metal nanowire dispersion layer to form a metal nanowire network layer. Next step is forming a matrix layer on the metal nanowire network layer so as to form a conductive layer of the metal nanowire network layer embedded in the matrix layer.

Abstract: Composite transparent conductors are described, which comprise a primary conductive medium based on metal nanowires and a secondary conductive medium based on a continuous conductive film.

Abstract: Composite transparent conductors are described, which comprise a primary conductive medium based on metal nanowires and a secondary conductive medium based on a continuous conductive film.

Abstract: A transparent conductor including a conductive layer coated on a substrate is described. More specifically, the conductive layer comprises a network of nanowires which may be embedded in a matrix. The conductive layer is optically transparent and flexible. It can be coated or laminated onto a variety of substrates, including flexible and rigid substrates.

Abstract: A method for forming a transparent conductor including a conductive layer coated on a substrate is described. The method comprises depositing a plurality of metal nanowires on a surface of a substrate, the metal nanowires being dispersed in a liquid; and forming a metal nanowire network layer on the substrate by allowing the liquid to dry.

Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymer (“EAP”) transducers having improved properties. This improvement is achieved without decreasing film thickness, or by using high dielectric constant and high field, so that this approach does not adversely affect the reliability and physical properties of the resultant dielectric films. Mobile electrically active additives are added to the electrode formulation which significantly improve the performance of electroactive polymer transducers. Such additives do not need to be ionic. These electrically active additives can enable higher performance devices, smaller devices using less active area, lower voltage/power operation, and combinations of these enhancements.

Abstract: An electroactive polymer transducer including a dielectric elastomer material having a first configuration with a first spring constant and a second configuration with a second spring constant and where the second spring constant is lower than the first spring constant.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a frame and a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to at least a portion of the frame, where the pressure sensitive adhesive is arranged to bond a pre-strained film to the frame is disclosed. A method of making the apparatus also is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a stretch frame for manufacturing electroactive polymer devices thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible polymer diodes in the form of a printable polymer sandwich configuration similar to that found in electroactive polymer transducers. The inventive flexible polymer diodes comprise a dielectric layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. With appropriate optional additives introduced in the electrode formulation and the proper electrical properties in the electrode, a device may be constructed which allows current to pass through for only one polarity of applied voltage.

Abstract: A process for producing a patterned deformable polymer film for use in a deformable polymer device is disclosed. The process includes positioning an intermediary layer between a deformable film and a process tooling and printing at least one electrode on the deformable film by depositing an ink to form the at least one electrode on a first surface of the deformable film, wherein the intermediary layer permits release of the deformable film from the process tooling subsequent to the printing process. Films produced by the inventive processes may find use in electroactive polymer devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible polymer diodes in the form of a printable polymer sandwich configuration similar to that found in electroactive polymer transducers. The inventive flexible polymer diodes comprise a dielectric layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. With appropriate optional additives introduced in the electrode formulation and the proper electrical properties in the electrode, a device may be constructed which allows current to pass through for only one polarity of applied voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a metallized polymer-electrode composite comprising transferring a conductive metal foil from a metal transfer film to a surface of a polymer film The inventive method may be used to produce a polymer film with optionally textured, conductive metal electrodes on one or both sides. The method of Hie invention may find utility in producing electroactive polymer transducers and other thin film devices requiring flexibility or stretchability such as thin film batteries, sensors, speakers, reflective plastic displays, solar cells, and supercapacitors.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a frame and a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to at least a portion of the frame, where the pressure sensitive adhesive is arranged to bond a pre-strained film to the frame is disclosed. A method of making the apparatus also is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a stretch frame for manufacturing electroactive polymer devices thereon.