U.S. patent application number 15/248238 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for directed assembly of braided, woven or twisted wire.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc. Invention is credited to David J. Carter, Amy Duwel, Ernest S. Kim, John LeBlanc.
Application Number | 20170058440 15/248238 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58103419 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170058440 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duwel; Amy ; et al. |
March 2, 2017 |
DIRECTED ASSEMBLY OF BRAIDED, WOVEN OR TWISTED WIRE
Abstract
Wires, such as microwires or nanowires are braided, woven or
twisted by attaching an end piece to a first end of a plurality of
wires, wherein the end piece has a response to an electromagnetic
or fluidic work force different than that of the wire. The end
pieces are manipulated relative to each other by selective
application of electromagnetic or fluidic force that braids, weaves
or twist the wires at the first end, while the second ends of each
of the wires remain fixed relative to each other.
Inventors: |
Duwel; Amy; (Cambridge,
MA) ; LeBlanc; John; (Cambridge, MA) ; Carter;
David J.; (Cambridge, MA) ; Kim; Ernest S.;
(Cambridge, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc |
Cambridge |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58103419 |
Appl. No.: |
15/248238 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62211139 |
Aug 28, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04C 1/12 20130101; D04C
3/40 20130101; D04C 3/48 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D04C 3/40 20060101
D04C003/40; D04C 1/12 20060101 D04C001/12; D04C 3/48 20060101
D04C003/48 |
Goverment Interests
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
[0002] This invention was made with government support under
contract FA8650-15-7543 from the Air Force Research Laboratory. The
government has certain rights in the invention.
Claims
1. A method of forming a braided, woven or twisted wire, comprising
the steps of: a) attaching an end piece to a first end of each of a
plurality of wires, the end piece having a response to an
electromagnetic or fluidic force different than that of the wire;
b) fixing respective second ends of each of the wires relative to
each other; and c) manipulating the end pieces relative to each
other by selective application of an electromagnetic or fluidic
force that braids, weaves or twists the wires to thereby form the
braided, woven or twisted wire.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wire is a microwire, having a
diameter in a range of between about 1 .mu.m and about 1 mm.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wire is a nanowire, having a
diameter in a range of between about 1 nm and about 100 nm.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wire includes at least one
member of the group consisting of a metal, a ceramic, a polymer,
and a glass.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the end piece includes at least
one member of the group consisting of a dielectric material, a
magnetic material, a metallic material, and a ferroelectric
material.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the dielectric material is an
electret. The method of claim 1, wherein the end piece has at least
one dimension greater than that of the wire diameter.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the end piece is a bead.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the end piece is a spool of the
wire.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the wires are fixed at their
respective second ends to each other.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the wires are fixed at their
respective second ends to a fixed support and are proximate to each
other.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the end pieces are manipulated
by manipulation of an electromagnetic force.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electromagnetic force
includes at least one member of the group consisting of
electrostatic force, magnetostatic force, electroquasistatic force,
and optical force.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the end pieces are manipulated
by manipulation of a fluidic force.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fluidic force includes at
least one member selected from the group consisting of pressure,
concentration gradient, thermal gradient, and electrowetting.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic or fluidic
force is manipulated in two dimensions.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the end pieces are manipulated
by selective application of an electromagnetic force from an
addressable platform.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic or fluidic
force is manipulated in three dimensions.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the wires are braided.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the wires are woven.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the wires are twisted.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/211,139, filed on Aug. 28, 2015. The entire
teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Radiofrequency (RF) systems, such as cell phones and
geo-positioning systems (GPS) employ micro circuitry that includes
wire connectors having diameters as small as a few nanometers. At
the same time, energy storage and such systems is limited and,
therefore, loss of energy, such as through electrical heat loss,
are significant, thereby further limiting utility and ability to
scale down the size of such devices.
[0004] One option for reducing electrical heat loss from wires is
to braid or twist them, whenever possible, so that are in
relatively close proximity to each other. However, wires on such a
small scale are not only difficult to manufacture, but are
extremely fragile and have a limited ability to bend. Further, the
size of wires on a nano- and micrometer scale are difficult to
manipulate, once fabricated, and are extremely susceptible to
failure.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for a method of assembling nano and
micrometer-scale wires in a braid, weave or twist that overcomes or
minimizes the above-referenced problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention generally is directed to a method of weaving a
braided, woven or twisted wire, typically for use in RF systems,
such as cell phones and GPS systems.
[0007] In one embodiment, the method of weaving a braided, woven or
twisted wire includes attaching an end piece to a first end of each
of a plurality of wires, each end piece having a response to an
electromagnetic or fluidic force different than that of the wire.
Respective second ends of each of the wires are fixed relative to
each other, and the end pieces are manipulated relative to each
other by selective application of an electromagnetic or fluidic
force that braids or twists the wires to thereby weave the braided
or twisted wire.
[0008] Typically the wire is a microwire, having a diameter in a
range of between about 1 .mu.m and about 1 mm. Alternatively, the
wire is a nanowire, having a diameter in the range of between about
1 nm and about 100 nm.
[0009] The wire is formed of a suitable material, such as a
material that includes at least one member of the group consisting
of a metal, a ceramic, a polymer, and a glass.
[0010] The end piece typically includes at least one member of the
group consisting of a dielectric material, a magnetic material, a
metallic material, and a ferro-electric material. In one specific
embodiment, the end piece is formed of a dielectric material that
is an electret.
[0011] The end piece in one embodiment is a bead. Alternatively,
the end piece can be a spool of the wire that is braided, woven or
twisted by the method of the invention.
[0012] Examples of suitable electromagnetic forces that can be
employed to manipulate the end pieces typically include at least
one member of the group consisting of an electrostatic force, a
magnetostatic force, an electroquasistatic force, and an optical
electromagnetic field.
[0013] Examples of suitable fluidic forces that can be employed
typically includes at least one member selected from the group
consisting of pressure, a concentration gradient, a thermal
gradient, and an electrogradient.
[0014] In one embodiment, the end pieces are selectively
manipulated by use of an addressable platform that controls an
electromagnetic force to which the end pieces are exposed. The
beads or spools move relative to each other by responding to
selective application of a force from, for example, an addressable
platform, thereby braiding, weaving or twisting the wires to which
the end pieces are attached.
[0015] This invention has many advantages. For example, by
braiding, weaving or twisting the wires, electrical heat loss in
the wires during use and or assistance is significantly reduced,
thereby resulting in better performance and greater durability of
electrical systems in which they are employed. In addition,
braiding, weaving or twisting of the wires by the method of the
invention can be done rapidly and at a very low rate of failure.
Braiding, weaving, or twisting also provides high mechanical
strength while preserving mechanical flexibility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The foregoing will be apparent from the following more
particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 is an example of one embodiment of a two-dimensional
addressable platform for directed-assembly of braided, woven or
twisted wire according to the method of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is another embodiment of an addressable platform.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device
for conducting the method of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] A description of example embodiments of the invention
follows.
[0021] The invention generally is directed to a method of weaving a
braided or twisted wire for the use in RF systems, such as cell
phones and GPS systems.
[0022] "Braiding," as that term is understood herein, means
plaiting or interweaving a continuous length of material to form a
braid.
[0023] "Weaving," as that term is employed herein, means
interlacing or entwining a continuous material, also referred to
herein as a "wire."
[0024] "Twisting" means interweaving or twining a continuous length
of material, such as a wire to form a weave of that material.
[0025] In one embodiment, the method includes attaching an end
piece to a first end of each of a plurality of wires. Examples of
suitable wires include microwires and nanowires. In one embodiment,
the wire is a microwire, having a diameter in a range of between
about 1 .mu.m and about 1 mm. In another embodiment, the wire is a
nanowire, having a diameter in a range of between about 1 nm and
about 100 nm.
[0026] The wires suitable for use in the method of the invention
are those typically employed in the fabrication of RF devices or
other devices that employ microcircuitry and nanocircuitry.
Examples of suitable wires include those that are formed of at
least one member of the group consisting of a metal, a ceramic, a
polymer, and a glass. Examples of suitable metals include copper,
silver and gold. Example of a suitable ceramics is aluminum oxide.
An example of a suitable polymer is polyimide. Examples of suitable
glasses include silicon dioxide. Examples of suitable nanotubes
include those formed of at least one material selected from the
group consisting of carbon and inorganic material.
[0027] In one embodiment, the wire has a dielectric core, coated by
an electrically conductive layer which, in turn, is insulated from
its surrounding environment by the dielectric coating.
[0028] The end pieces are formed of a suitable material that is
susceptible to selective application of an electromagnetic or
fluidic force. In one embodiment, the end pieces are all formed of
the same material or composition of materials. In an alternative
embodiment, the end pieces are each formed of different materials,
whereby the end pieces are differentially susceptible to distinct
electromagnetic or fluidic forces. Examples of suitable materials
are those known to be susceptible to electromagnetic or fluidic
force, such as a dielectric material, a magnetic material, a
metallic material, and a ferro-electric material. In one specific
embodiment, wherein at least a portion of the end pieces are formed
of a dielectric material, the dielectric material includes an
electret.
[0029] In one embodiment, the end pieces have a diameter greater
than that of the wire to which they are attached. In one specific
embodiment, the end piece is a bead, having a suitable shape, such
as that of a sphere. Typically, the bead will have a diameter in a
range of between about 30 microns and about 100 microns.
Alternatively, the end piece can be in the form of a spool about
which the wire to be braided, woven or twisted is wound. In some
embodiments, the beads or spools are formed of a uniform material.
In an alternative embodiment, the beads or spools are formed in
layers having distinct electromagnetic properties. For example, in
one embodiment, the beads can include a magnetic core.
[0030] In one embodiment, the end piece are beads that are attached
to a first end of each of a plurality of wires by a suitable means.
In one embodiment, the bead is a metal bead that is attached to a
nanowire by a suitable glue, such as a UV-curable epoxy glue. In
one specific embodiment each metal bead is attached to a respective
first end of the plurality of wires by first affixing each nanowire
to the surface of a fluorinated ethylene polypropylene (FEP) sheet.
A drop of UV-curable epoxy glue is then applied with a micropipette
to the first end of the nanowire and a micromanipulator arm is
employed to lower a metal-coated bead onto the bead of UV-curable
epoxy glue. UV light can then be employed to cure the epoxy,
thereby fixing the bead to the first end of the nanowire.
[0031] The second ends of each of the wires are fixed relative to
each other. In one embodiment, the wires are fixed at their
respective second ends to each other. In an alternative embodiment,
the wires are fixed at their respective second ends to a fixed
support and are proximate to each other. In either case, the end
pieces are suspended by the wires from the point at which the
second ends of the wires are fixed to each other or to a separate
support by a suitable force, such as gravity.
[0032] The end pieces are manipulated by selective application of
an electromagnetic or fluidic force that braids, weaves or twists
the wires to thereby form the braided, woven or twisted wire. The
beads or spools of the end pieces can be manipulated in two
dimensions or three dimensions. The end pieces are manipulated
relative to each other by suitable means, such as by employing an
addressable platform. For example, where the end pieces are
manipulated relative to each other by selective application of an
electromagnetic force, the selective application of that force can,
in one embodiment, be obtained by a planar, or semi-planar grid of
patterned electrodes. The patterned electrodes can exist in a
single layer or in multiple layers whereby selective actuation of
the pattern of electrodes directs the end pieces, whether they be
beads or spools, or some other configuration, across the patterned
surface relative to each other in a manner that causes the wires to
which the end pieces are attached to form a braided, woven or
twisted wire.
[0033] The platform of electrodes, in turn, is fabricated by a
suitable method, such as by photo lithography. Examples of suitable
materials to fabricate an addressable platform can be found, for
example, in Zemanek, et al., "Dielectric actuation strategy for
micromanipulation along complex trajectories." IEEE/ASMI Int'l.
Conf. on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM) (2014), the
relevant teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety. FIGS. 1 and 2 represent examples of addressable
platforms of patterned electrodes 10, 12, respectively, that can
selectively manipulate end pieces suspended above them by the wires
to be braided, woven or twisted. FIG. 2 is a representation of a
"walk-through" pattern, and FIG. 3 is a representation of a "walk
around" pattern.
[0034] In one embodiment, the wires are all fixed relative to each
other at a constant distance from the grid providing selective
application of electromagnetic force, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown
therein, addressable platform 13 includes base 14 and patterned
electrodes 16. End pieces 18 are attached to wires 20 that, in
turn, are fixed to a single point 22. Patterned electrodes 16 are
in electrical communication with computer 24 through wires 26.
Computer 24 thereby controls the pattern of electromotive force at
patterned electrodes 16 to thereby manipulate end pieces 18 in a
plane above addressable platform 13 and, as a consequence, braids
wires 14 to form a single braided, woven or twisted wire extending
from single point 22. In an alternative embodiment, wires 20 are
wound around spools that are fixed in a plane at a constant
distance from the grid. The spools are manipulated in position
relative to each other by a selective application of
electromagnetic force of the grid, thereby causing the wires to
form a braided, woven or a twisted wire. As the point at which the
second ends of the wires are fixed relative to each other is drawn
away from the grid, the wires are unwound from the spools as
braiding, weaving or twisting of the wires progresses.
[0035] The teachings of all patents, published applications and
references cited herein are0 incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
[0036] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
* * * * *