Rhode Island Patent of the Month – September 2023
Guill Tool & Engineering Co., Inc., a name synonymous with extrusion tooling innovation, has recently been granted a patent for a novel approach to extruding electrical products. This invention revolves around an extruded thin multi-layer polymer product.
Imagine a polymer product comprising tens to thousands of annular polymeric layers, each layer incorporating electrical conductive particles, forming an electrical conducting network through their precise alignment during the extrusion process. From rods to tubular products and even wires, this invention offers a truly versatile approach.
These annular polymeric layers can vary in size from milli, micro to even nano dimensions, showcasing a spectrum of possibilities. The conductive particles, often nanoparticles, are strategically layered between non-conducting polymeric layers, resulting in a product that’s resistant to Electro-Static Discharges (ESD), Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), High Power Microwave (HPM) attacks, and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI).
This breakthrough isn’t confined to a single application. From covering wires to forming batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, the applications are diverse and promising. In certain variations, the product can even have non-conducting annular polymeric layers with adjacent pores, adding another layer of complexity and utility.
The process involves careful manipulation of flow streams and utilizing specialized dies, like milli, micro, or nano-flow dies, to create layers with dimensions ranging from millimeters down to the nanometer scale.
The ability to generate thin layers with electrical properties and precisely designed conductive networks opens up exciting possibilities in the realms of electronics, energy storage, and beyond. Guill Tool & Engineering’s invention has unveiled a new frontier in polymer product development, showcasing a future where materials are not just functional but technologically intelligent and electrically conductive.
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