Method for manufacturing an electrostatic discharge device

A method for manufacturing an ESD device having at least one anisotropic conductive or dissipative layer comprising a mixture of a nonconductive matrix and conductive particles, wherein the method comprises:

• a) applying a layer of the mixture over a first surface of the ESD device, the mixture having a first viscosity which allows the conductive particles to rearrange within the layer;
• b) applying an electric field between two alignment electrodes over the layer, so that a number of the conductive particles are aligned with the field, thus creating conductive pathways, wherein at least one of the electrodes is not in direct contact with the layer while the electric field is applied;
• and
• c) changing the viscosity of the layer to a second viscosity, said second viscosity being higher than the first viscosity in order to mechanically stabilize the layer and preserve the conductive pathways,
• wherein a concentration of the conductive particles in the layer is below the percolation threshold.