Patent ID: 7686994

Claim:
A method for producing a conductive film that generates an electric current via field emission of electrons comprising: (i) providing a thermoplastic polymer comprising pores and having a flow temperature of about 100° C. or higher, (ii) subjecting the thermoplastic polymer to a vacuum while contacting at least one surface of the thermoplastic polymer with a medium comprising (a) a liquid having a vapor pressure and (b) an electrically conductive material, such that at least some of the medium is introduced into the thermoplastic polymer, (iii) removing the liquid having a vapor pressure from the thermoplastic polymer, such that the electrically conductive material remains in the thermoplastic polymer, and (iv) forming the thermoplastic polymer into a conductive film by applying a pressure to the thermoplastic polymer at or above the flow temperature of the thermoplastic polymer such that the resulting conductive film has a porosity of about 2% or less.