Structurally integrated wire and associated fabrication method

A wire adapted to be integrated with a structural member, the wire comprising:

• at least one nonlinear tow extending generally in a longitudinal direction, each tow including a plurality of nonmetallic fibers;
• at least two conductive strands interlaced with the tows, each conductive strand comprised of an electrically conductive metal, said conductive strands being electrically connected in a transverse direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one tow;
• and
• a structural material disposed between said tows and strands and capable of joining said tows and strands to the structural member.

A structural member having at least one integrated wire, the structural member comprising:

• a composite structure;
• at least one integrated wire disposed on said composite structure, each wire having a plurality of nonlinear tows extending generally in a longitudinal direction, each tow including a plurality of fibers;
• a structural material disposed between said plurality of tows and joining said plurality of tows to the structural member;
• a first electrical device connected to a first end of the wire;
• and
• a second electrical device connected to a second end of the wire, said wire electrically connecting said first and second electrical devices.