Electrical, thin film termination

An apparatus for operably connecting an electrical source to a conductive coating, the apparatus comprising:

• a substrate comprising a structural material;
• a conductive coating applied to the substrate;
• an interface layer applied over the conductive coating and configured to conduct electricity thereto while transferring insufficient force to separate the conductive coating from the substrate;
• and
• a conductor for providing electricity to the interface layer, the conductor being positioned in contact with the interface layer and comprising strands configured to be separable and electrically conductive.

An apparatus for operably connecting an electrical source to a conductive coating, the apparatus comprising:

• a substrate comprising a structural material;
• a conductive coating applied to the substrate;
• an interface layer applied over the conductive coating and configured to transfer to the conductive coating insufficient thermally-induced force to damage the integrity of the conductive coating with respect to the substrate;
• and
• a conductor for providing electricity to the interface layer, the conductor being positioned in contact with the interface layer and comprising strands configured to be separable and electrically conductive.

A method for connecting an electrical lead to a comparatively thin coating, the method comprising:

• providing a substrate having a thickness;
• applying to the substrate a coating, comparatively thin and comprising a conductive material;
• positioning a conductor, comprising a plurality of independent strands, opposite the substrate in a position to provide electricity to the coating;
• applying a clamping load urging the conductor toward the coating;
• and
• redistributing, by the independent strands, mechanical and electrical loads directed toward the coating.