3m Innovative Properties Company

Steven Y Yu

Larry S Hebert

Ding Wang

Gary A Shreve

Gene B Nesmith

Naiyong Jing

Michael Nevin Miller

Bernard A Gonzalez

Stephen P Maki

Jeffrey W McCutcheon

Justin A Riddle

Jinbae Kim

Marina M Kaplun

Jeongwan Choi

Michael R Matthews

Abolghassem B Mahmoodi

David James Lentz

Timothy D Norum

David A Sowatzke

Timothy B Norum

An electrically conductive bonding tape includes a conductive self-supporting first layer conductive in each of three mutually orthogonal directions and including conductive opposing first and second major surfaces, an conductive second layer coated on the first major surface of the self-supporting first layer and having at least 60% by weight of nickel, the second layer having an exposed major surface facing away from the first major surface of the self-supporting first layer and exposing at least some of the nickel in the second layer, and a conductive adhesive third layer bonded to the second major surface of the self-supporting first layer opposite the second layer. The adhesive third layer is conductive in at least one of the three mutually orthogonal directions and includes a plurality of conductive elements dispersed in an insulative material, at least some of the conductive elements physically contacting the self-supporting first layer.

Electrically conductive bonding tape with low passive intermodulation

A method of making an electrically-conductive film is provided. The method includes providing a release layer, optionally having a topologically structured surface, and depositing at least one electrically-conductive layer on the release layer whereby the at least one electrically-conductive layer has an outer surface that substantially replicates the topologically structured surface. The electrically-conductive layer can be peeled away from the release layer to obtain the electrically-conductive film. Such electrically-conductive films can be useful in lightning strike applications.

Conductive films

An electroplated article is provided comprising a polymeric substrate bearing an electroplated metal layer comprising copper and tin in an atomic ratio of less than 96:4, in some embodiments less than 87:13 and in some embodiments less than 82:18; wherein the atomic ratio of copper to tin is greater than 55:45, and wherein the electroplated metal layer comprises at least 3.5 weight % tin. The electroplated metal layer comprises an alloy having a melting point of less than 1050&#xb0; C. and in some cases less than 800&#xb0; C. The electroplated metal layer has a Young's Modulus of less than 15.0 GPa, in some embodiments less than 13.0 GPa, and in some less than 10.0 GPa. In addition, an electroplating solution is provided comprising Cu(II) ions, Sn (II) ions, Zn(II) ions, 1-methionine, and no cyanide anion.

Plating bronze on polymer sheets

A plated article is provided comprising a) a polymeric substrate bearing b) a tie/seed layer in direct contact with the polymeric substrate and c) a plated metal layer, wherein the tie/seed layer has a thickness of less than 0.95 &#x3bc;m, and wherein the tie/seed layer comprises two or more layers of tin alternating with two or more layers of copper, and in some embodiments up to ten or more layers of tin alternating with ten or more layers of copper. In some embodiments, the tie/seed layer includes a layer of tin in direct contact with the polymeric substrate. Typically, the layers of tin and copper comprising the tie/seed layer are sputter coated layers. In some embodiments, the plated metal layer comprises an alloy of copper and tin. In some embodiments, the plated metal layer comprises layers comprised of tin alternating with layers comprised of copper.

Plated polymeric article including tin/copper tie/seed layer

Methods and devices are disclosed which can provide an indication of oil quality by measuring a capacitive property of the oil. The methods and/or devices may use a sample acquisition probe comprising a microvolume oil acquisition basin with a capacitive sensing element that is located on the floor of the basin and that is laterally bounded by an oleophilic wetting feature. The methods may involve immersing a sample acquisition probe at least partially into a supply of oil and withdrawing the probe from the supply of oil such that a microvolume oil sample is retained within a microvolume oil acquisition basin of the probe, and measuring a capacitive property of the microvolume oil sample with a capacitive sensing element that is located in the basin.

Methods and devices for acquiring an oil sample and monitoring the quality thereof

Methods and devices for evaluating the quality of oils are disclosed. The methods and devices can provide an indication of the oil quality based on the Total Polar Content of the oil. The methods rely on a reusable capacitive sensing element that comprises a fluorinated barrier coating, as disclosed herein.

Capacitive oil quality monitoring sensor with fluorinated barrier coating

A method and system of measuring the spectroscopic impedance of a sensor and its immediate surroundings. The sensor is disposed on an engineered structure and is coated with a protective coating. The method includes providing a first optical signal having a first modulation frequency and amplitude. The method also includes transmitting the first optical signal and a second optical signal from a first location to a sensor location. The method also includes modulating the second optical signal with a second modulation frequency and amplitude, the second modulation frequency and amplitude converted from the first optical signal. The method also includes comparing the first modulation frequency to the second modulation frequency to determine one of a phase difference and a time lag and calculating the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the sensor and its immediate surroundings as a function of frequency.

Method and system for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

A detection system for monitoring an engineered structure includes an array of sensors disposable in a predetermined pattern on the engineered structure and disposable between a surface of the engineered structure and a protective coating substantially covering the surface. The detection system also includes a controller in communication with the array of sensors for retrieving data from the sensors. The controller communicates with the sensor array via an optical fiber backbone. The array of sensors can remotely provide data corresponding to at least one of a degree of cure of the protective coating, a health of the cured protective coating, and a corrosion rate of the engineered structure at each of the sensors.

Detection system

A detection system for monitoring an engineered structure includes an array of sensors disposable in a predetermined pattern on the engineered structure and disposable between a surface of the engineered structure and a protective coating substantially covering the surface. The detection system also includes a data acquisition system in communication with the array of sensors for retrieving data from the sensors. The array of sensors can provide data corresponding to at least one of a degree of cure of the protective coating, a health of the cured protective coating, and a corrosion rate of the engineered structure at each of the sensors.

Coating impedance monitoring system

An electrode assembly for electroplating conducting portions of nonconductors comprises an insulating frame having a first projection opposite a second projection. Preferably the insulating frame comprises a resin selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins, polyvinyl chloride resins and polycarbonate resins. A metal filament, for connection to the negative pole of a source of electrical energy, extends from the first projection to the second projection. Adjacent to the metal filament a first conductive plate is attached to the insulating frame at a first distance from the metal filament. A second conductive plate attaches to the insulating frame at a second distance from the metal filament. The first plate and the second plate are adapted for connection to the positive pole of a source of electrical energy. The nonconductor is at least one optical fiber having a conducting portion in contact with the metal filament to provide connection of the conducting portion to a negative pole of the source of electrical energy. In one embodiment of an assembly according to the present invention, there is a plurality of optical fibers each having a conducting portion in contact with the metal filament. An electrode assembly may be used in a process according to the present invention to provide a conductive composite coating on the surface of a nonconductor, preferably an optical fiber.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Steven Y Yu