US 2012/0067615 A1 · Materials and Methods for Autonomous Restoration of Electrical Conductivity

Materials and Methods for Autonomous Restoration of Electrical Conductivity

AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

InventorsBenjamin J. Blaiszik, Susan A. Odom, Mary M. Caruso, Aaron C. Jackson, Marta B. Baginska, Joshua A. Ritchey, Aaron D. Finke, Scott R. White, Jeffrey S. Moore, Nancy R. Sottos, Paul V. Braun, Khalil Amine

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Abstract

An autonomic conductivity restoration system includes a solid conductor and a plurality of particles. The particles include a conductive fluid, a plurality of conductive microparticles, and/or a conductive material forming agent. The solid conductor has a first end, a second end, and a first conductivity between the first and second ends. When a crack forms between the first and second ends of the conductor, the contents of at least a portion of the particles are released into the crack. The cracked conductor and the released contents of the particles form a restored conductor having a second conductivity, which may be at least 90% of the first conductivity.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An autonomic conductivity restoration system, comprising:

a solid conductor having a first end, a second end, and a first conductivity between the first and second ends;
a solid polymer matrix on the conductor;
and
a plurality of capsules in the matrix, the capsules comprising a conductive fluid;
where, when a crack forms between the first and second ends of the conductor and in the matrix, at least a portion of the capsules is ruptured, and the conductive fluid contacts the conductor and forms a restored conductor having a second conductivity that is at least 90% of the first conductivity.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.