Patent ID: 7491892
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: H05K

Abstract:
1. A stretchable electrical conductor for electronically and mechanically connecting electronic components of devices in a longitudinal (x), lateral (y) and transversal (z) axis system, comprising: a stretchable substrate placed in the longitudinal, lateral, transversal axis system, said substrate being prestretched along one axis of the system, or prestretched along two axis of the system, or prestretched along all three axis of the system to be substantially flat, said substrate is an elastomeric material, said substrate can be stretched reversibly along one or any axis of the system and has a thickness in the range of about 1 μm to about 1 cm; and an electrically conductive material formed on or embedded within said substrate said conductive material comprises a conductive metallic film or conductive metallic stripe having a thickness in the range of about 1 nm to about 1000 nm, said conductive metallic film or said conductive metallic stripe is formed on the elastomeric substrate with its longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the substrate, or with its longitudinal axis aligned with the lateral axis of the substrate, or with its longitudinal axis at an arbitrary angle to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, said conductive metallic film or said conductive metallic stripe is embedded in the elastomeric substrate and oriented with its longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the substrate, or with its longitudinal axis aligned with the lateral axis of the substrate, or with its longitudinal axis at an arbitrary angle to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, or with its longitudinal axis aligned with the transversal axis of the substrate said conductive metallic film or said conductive metallic stripe expanding along the longitudinal axis of the substrate, or along the lateral axis of the substrate and/or in any direction at an arbitrary angle to the longitudinal axis of the substrate and/or lateral axis of the substrate, or along the transversal axis of the substrate, said conductive metallic film or said conductive metallic stripe providing stretchability simultaneously in any direction in the longitudinal/lateral plane of the substrate, or in any direction in the longitudinal/transversal plane of the substrate, or any direction in the lateral/transversal plane of the substrate or said conductive metallic film or said conductive metallic stripe providing stretchability simultaneously in any directions of the longitudinal (x), lateral (y), and (z) transversal axis system wherein said conductive material extends between two of said devices for electronically coupling a contact of one device to a contact of another device and said stretchable electrical conductor is capable of being stretched up to a predetermined percentage in any planar and non-planar direction and retain electrical conductivity wherein said conductive material formed on or embedded with said stretchable substrate has a wavy or buckled profile after release of said prestretched substrate.