ELONGATIONAL STRUCTURES
The present disclosure generally relates to expandable electrodes and/or components that are expandable and/or flexible during, prior to, and/or after the manufacture of the electrodes.
1 . An electrode comprising:
a nonconductive substrate comprising a plurality of grooves, the plurality of grooves having inner walls; and
a conductive layer disposed on the substrate and the inner walls of at least one of the plurality of grooves.
2 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a flexible material.
3 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is expandable.
4 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is flexible.
5 . (canceled)
6 . The electrode of claim 1 , where the electrode is visibly transparent.
7 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises an elastomer, a polymer, PET, a high transparency polyimide, or a combination thereof.
8 . (canceled)
9 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises polyimide, polyester, aramid, epoxy, PET, silicone, rubber, protein, cellulosic materials, or a combination thereof.
10 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a block copolymer of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate.
11 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a material having a glass transition temperature lower than about −40° C.
12 . (canceled)
13 . (canceled)
14 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises ZnO, ITO, PEDOT, carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal, metal alloy, conductive polymer, or combinations thereof.
15 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the depth of the grooves to the width of the grooves is at least about one.
16 . (canceled)
17 . (canceled)
18 . The electrode of claim 15 , wherein the grooves have a width of about 195 nm to about 375 nm.
19 . (canceled)
20 . The electrode of claim 19 , wherein the grooves have a depth of about 275 nm or more.
21 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the grooves are disposed in a grid pattern.
22 . (canceled)
23 . (canceled)
24 . (canceled)
25 . (canceled)
26 . (canceled)
27 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is flexible.
28 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer is at least partially transparent.
29 . A method of preparing an electrode, the method comprising:
providing a nonconductive substrate comprising at least one groove, the at least one groove comprising at least one inner wall; and
applying a conductive layer to the nonconductive substrate and the at least one inner wall.
30 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising applying a tension to the substrate after providing the nonconducting substrate and before applying the conductive layer.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein a tension is applied to the substrate while the conductive layer is applied.
32 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the conductive layer is at least partially transparent to light.
33 . (canceled)
34 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the conductive layer comprises at least one of ZnO, ITO, PEDOT, carbon nanotube, graphene, metal, metal alloy, or conductive polymer.
35 . (canceled)
36 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the tension is sufficient to cause at least one groove to expand so that a width of a bottom surface of the groove expands.
37 . (canceled)
38 . (canceled)
39 . (canceled)
40 . (canceled)
41 . (canceled)
42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein forming the nano scale pattern comprises:
feeding an elastomer sheet from a first side where the elastomer sheet is stored in a rolled-up form;
heating the elastomer sheet to a softening point or above;
transferring the nano scale pattern by pressing the nano imprinting mold on to the heated elastomer sheet; and
collecting the elastomer sheet at a second side.
43 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising:
setting the elastomer sheet with the nano pattern formed on its surface at a third side;
feeding the elastomer sheet to a three dimensional shaped stage;
expanding the elastomer sheet;
metalizing on the elastomer sheet to form at least one electrode; and
rolling up the elastomer sheet at a fourth side.
44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein expanding is executed by at least one tension controller.
45 . The method of claim 43 , wherein metalizing is performed using a B—Ga—ZnO sinter target.
46 . (canceled)
47 . A method of using an interactive device, the method comprising:
providing a device comprising a flexible electrode, wherein the flexible electrode comprises:
a nonconductive substrate comprising a plurality of grooves, the plurality of grooves having inner walls; and
a conductive layer disposed on the substrate and the inner walls of at least one of the plurality of grooves; and
flexing the flexible electrode to a flexed state, thereby interacting with the device.
48 . (canceled)
49 . (canceled)
50 . (canceled)