| Abstract: | A method for making a composite polymeric material with electrical
conductivity determined by stress-tuning of the conductor-polymer
composite, and sensors made with the stress-tuned conductor-polymer
composite made by this method. Stress tuning is achieved by mixing a
miscible liquid into the polymer precursor solution or by absorbing into
the precursor solution a soluble compound from vapor in contact with the
polymer precursor solution. The conductor may or may not be ordered by
application of a magnetic field. The composite is formed by
polymerization with the stress-tuning agent in the polymer matrix. The
stress-tuning agent is removed following polymerization to produce a
conductor-polymer composite with a stress field that depends on the
amount of stress-tuning agent employed. |