Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Inc.

Flexcon Company, Inc.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jimmy Nguyen

Kristina McCarthy

Jason R Cox

Richard T Skov

Kenneth Burnham

Michael Rein

Stephen Tomas

Chia-Chun Chung

Stephen M Pizzo

Lisa Crislip

Kristen Mulherin

Alexander Stolyarov

Edin Insanic

Lauren Cantley

Lalitha Parameswaran

Joshua Deisenhaus

Matthew Bernasconi

Michael Rickley

Richard Skov

Stephen Pizzo

Tong Heng

A system for monitoring performance of a rope includes a drawn form factor that has a plurality of radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices (e.g., embedded therein). The form factor is integrated into a core portion of the rope. Each RFID device is configured to transmit a corresponding message to at least one receiver in response to an interrogation initiated by at least one transmitter. The messages enable the determination of at least one characteristic of the rope based on a spatial relationship of the plurality of RFID devices and a timing of the received messages.

Sensing fiber for monitoring rope condition, and method of manufacturing the same

Methods of manufacturing multi-material fibers having one or more electrically-connectable devices disposed therein are described. In certain instances, the methods include the steps of: positioning the electrically-connectable device(s) within a corresponding pocket provided in a preform material; positioning a first electrical conductor longitudinally within a first conduit provided in the preform material; and drawing the multi-material fiber by causing the preform material to flow, such that the first electrical conductor extends within the multi-material fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and makes an electrical contact with a first electrode located on each electrically-connectable device. A metallurgical bond may be formed between the first electrical conductor and the first electrode while drawing the multi-material fiber and/or, after drawing the multi-material fiber, the first electrical conductor may be located substantially along a neutral axis of the multi-material fiber.

Multi-material fibers and methods of manufacturing the same

An electrically conductive composite is disclosed that includes a dielectric material having a first side and a second side, conductive particles within the dielectric material layer, and a discontinuous layer of a conductive material on a first side of the dielectric layer. The conductive particles are aligned to form a plurality of conductive paths from the first side to the second side of the dielectric material, and each of the conductive paths is formed of at least a plurality of conductive particles. The discontinuous layer includes a plurality of non-mutually connected portions that cover portions of, but not all of, the first side of the dielectric material such that exposed portions of the underlying first side of the dielectric material remain exposed through the discontinuous layer, yet the discontinuous layer facilitates the electronic coupling together of a plurality of the conductive paths from the first side to the second side of the dielectric material.

Systems and methods for providing surface connectivity of oriented conductive channels

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Lowell, MA, United States of America

Jimmy Nguyen