Patent ID: 7052741

Claim:
A method of fabricating a fibrous structure, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; applying an electrically conductive adhesive to said substrate; selecting a plurality of electrically conductive fibers; fixing a first electrode to a hopper; attaching a second electrode beneath said substrate; depositing said plurality of fibers into the hopper; securing a plastic mesh over an opening in the hopper; positioning said hopper over said substrate by inverting said hopper; applying an electric field between the second electrode and the first electrode; shaking the hopper as the electric field is applied, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of fibers fall through said mesh and are coupled on one end thereof to said adhesive in a vertical orientation; and allowing said adhesive to cure and then depositing an electrochemical catalyst material comprising an alloy of palladium and iridium on the plurality of fibers coupled to said adhesive using the method of controlled potential coulometry.