Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Inc.

E Ink Corporation

Michael Rein

Yoel Fink

Jason R Cox

Jimmy Nguyen

Kristina McCarthy

Chia-Chun Chung

Kristen Mulherin

Richard J Paolini, Jr

Mihai Ibanescu

Alexander Stolyarov

Lauren Cantley

Lalitha Parameswaran

Joshua Deisenhaus

Matthew Bernasconi

Michael Rickley

Richard J Paolini

Tong Heng

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

Provided is a fabric including a plurality of fibers disposed in a fabric configuration. At least one of the fibers comprises a device fiber having a device fiber body including a device fiber body material, having a longitudinal axis along a device fiber body length. A plurality of discrete devices are disposed as a linear sequence within the device fiber body along at least a portion of the device fiber body length. Each discrete device includes at least one electrical contact pad. The device fiber body includes device fiber body material regions disposed between adjacent discrete devices in the linear sequence, separating adjacent discrete devices. At least one electrical conductor is disposed within the device fiber body along at least a portion of the device fiber body length. The electrical conductor is disposed in electrical connection with an electrical contact pad of discrete devices within the device fiber body.

Fabric with fiber including devices

A color-changing flexible fiber that can be incorporated into fabrics and other woven materials. The color changing flexible fibers are hollow and include at least two wire electrodes integrated into the wall of the hollow fiber that provide an electrical potential across an electro-optic medium disposed inside the hollow fiber. The electro-optic medium includes a non-polar solvent and at least one set of charged particles.

Flexible color-changing fibers and fabrics

There is provided herein a fiber including a fiber body with a fiber body material having a longitudinal axis along a fiber body length. A plurality of devices is disposed as a linear sequence of devices within the fiber body. Each device includes at least one electrical contact pad. At least one electrical conductor is disposed within the fiber body. The electrical conductor is electrically connected to an electrical contact pad of devices in the plurality of devices. A weavable device includes at least one device material arranged in a planar device configuration and connected to an electrical contact pad. An electrically insulating, mechanically flexible fiber body material encapsulates the planar device configuration and contact pad and has a fiber body length greater than 10 m. An electrical conductor is electrically connected to a device contact pad and extends the fiber body length.

Thermally-drawn fiber including devices

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Boston, MA, United States of America

Michael Rein