| abstract |
The present invention discloses a stretchable conductor comprising a substrate having a first major surface and an elongated wire, wherein the substrate is an elastomeric material, the elongated wire on the first major surface of the substrate ; The wire includes a first end and a second end, and also includes at least one arcuate region between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the arcuate region of the wire has a first surface area portion and a second surface area portion in the region, the first surface area portion embedded in the surface of the substrate, and the second surface area portion not embedded in the substrate and the exposure is in an amount sufficient to render at least a region of the substrate in the region conductive. The unembedded second surface portion of the arcuate region may lie above or below the plane of the substrate. Additionally, different methods of making the stretchable conductors are disclosed. Also disclosed is a composite article comprising the stretchable conductor in permanent electrical contact with a conductive fabric. |