Printing electrically conductive ink on fabric
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorsSiyuan Ma, James David Holbery, Hanbit Jin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One disclosed example comprises an ink formulated for printing an electrically conductive trace on a flexible fabric substrate. The ink includes an elastomer and a liquid vehicle capable of swelling the elastomer, the liquid vehicle having a boiling point of 150° C. or greater at one atmosphere. A plurality of non-spherical, electrically conductive particles are suspended in the liquid vehicle to impart electrical conductivity to the ink.
Claims20
An ink formulated for printing an electrically conductive trace on a flexible fabric substrate, the ink comprising:
- an elastomer;
- a liquid vehicle mixed with the elastomer, the liquid vehicle capable of swelling the elastomer, the liquid vehicle having a boiling point of 150° C. or greater at one atmosphere;
- and
- a plurality of non-spherical, electrically conductive particles suspended in the liquid vehicle.
A method of printing an electrically conductive trace on a flexible fabric substrate, the method comprising:
- placing a screen over the fabric substrate, the screen having a plurality of filled pores and a plurality of unfilled pores;
- forcing an ink through the unfilled pores of the screen and onto the fabric substrate, the ink comprising an elastomer, a liquid vehicle capable of swelling the elastomer and having a boiling point of 150° C. or greater at one atmosphere, and a plurality of non-spherical electrically conducting particles;
- and
- separating the fabric substrate and the screen.
A fabric having one or more electrically conductive traces arranged therein, the fabric comprising:
- an arrangement of threads;
- and
- contained within the arrangement of threads, non-volatile residue of an ink comprising an elastomer, a liquid vehicle capable of swelling the elastomer and having a boiling point of 150° C. or greater at one atmosphere, and a plurality of non-spherical conducting particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.