In a contact member, a mesh-like contact including one or more layers of a metal other than a noble metal is embedded in such a manner as to be exposed from one of the surfaces of a rubbery elastic body. The contact member includes a highly conductive metal coat layer only in the regions of the mesh-like contact which are exposed from the rubbery elastic body, the coat layer having conductivity higher than that of the metal on the outermost surfaces of the mesh-like contact.

Nanocomposite sensing materials are formulated with low aspect ratio conductive fillers with close to or higher than percolation threshold in a low Poisson's Ratio matrix binder with a high gauge factor, low temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), low temperature coefficient of gauge factor (TCGF), and low hysteresis.

Nanocomposite sensing materials are formulated with low aspect ratio conductive fillers with close to or higher than percolation threshold in a low Poisson's Ratio matrix binder with a high gauge factor, low temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), low temperature coefficient of gauge factor (TCGF), and low hysteresis.

An apparatus includes an electro-active polymer (EAP) structure configured to move, responsive to an electrical field, between a first position and a second position. The apparatus also includes a conductive particle interconnect (CPI) including an elastomeric carrier and conductive particles dispersed therein. The CPI is positioned proximate to at least a portion of the EAP structure and is configured to exhibit a first electrical resistance when the EAP structure is in the first position and to exhibit a second electrical resistance when the EAP structure is in the second position, where the first electrical resistance is different from the second electrical resistance.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electrical switch or sensor. In one embodiment, the electrical switch or sensor comprises a first electrical pole conductively coupled to a first side of a layer of variable resistance material. A second electrical pole is conductively coupled to a second side of the variable resistance material. The first side of the variable resistance material positioned distal to the second side of the variable resistance material. The variable resistance material comprises a polymer comprising a glass transition temperature of no higher than about 10 C. The first electrical pole and/or the second electrical pole comprise an electrically conductive ink or coating having a dispersion of graphene sheets. The graphene sheets completely comprise fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene. The graphene sheets comprise a lattice having heteroatoms incorporated therein and/or functional groups attached thereto.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electrical switch or sensor. In one embodiment, the electrical switch or sensor comprises a first electrical pole conductively coupled to a first side of a layer of variable resistance material. A second electrical pole is conductively coupled to a second side of the variable resistance material. The first side of the variable resistance material positioned distal to the second side of the variable resistance material. The variable resistance material comprises a polymer comprising a glass transition temperature of no higher than about 10 C. The first electrical pole and/or the second electrical pole comprise an electrically conductive ink or coating having a dispersion of graphene sheets. The graphene sheets completely comprise fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene. The graphene sheets comprise a lattice having heteroatoms incorporated therein and/or functional groups attached thereto.

A pressure-activated membrane switch and methods of use are provided. The pressure-activated membrane switch includes an electrically-conductive membrane, and a compliant conductive material having an electrically-conductive inner surface, wherein contact between the electrically-conductive membrane and the electrically-conductive inner surface of the compliant material is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close. The pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a plurality of spacers dispersed between the electrically-conductive membrane and the compliant conductive material. The plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the electrically-conductive membrane and the compliant conductive material, and, with an application of pressure against the compliant conductive material, the compliant conductive material is configured to deform between the one or more gaps to contact the electrically-conductive membrane.

A pressure-activated membrane switch and methods of use are provided. The pressure-activated membrane switch includes an electrically-conductive membrane, and a compliant conductive material having an electrically-conductive inner surface, wherein contact between the electrically-conductive membrane and the electrically-conductive inner surface of the compliant material is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close. The pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a plurality of spacers dispersed between the electrically-conductive membrane and the compliant conductive material. The plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the electrically-conductive membrane and the compliant conductive material, and, with an application of pressure against the compliant conductive material, the compliant conductive material is configured to deform between the one or more gaps to contact the electrically-conductive membrane.

Electrical switches or sensors that comprise (a) a first electrical pole, (b) a layer of a variable resistance material in electrical contact with the first electrical pole, and (c) a second electrical pole that is in electrical contact with the variable resistance material and is not in electrical contact with the first pole, wherein the variable resistance material comprises at least one polymer having a glass transition temperature of no higher than about 10 C.

Electrical switches or sensors that comprise (a) a first electrical pole, (b) a layer of a variable resistance material in electrical contact with the first electrical pole, and (c) a second electrical pole that is in electrical contact with the variable resistance material and is not in electrical contact with the first pole, wherein the variable resistance material comprises at least one polymer having a glass transition temperature of no higher than about 10 C.