Mystic MD, Inc. (Groton, CT) Chief Technology Officer Joel S. Douglas created fabrics that have been dyed or finished with a dye that contains a conductive mixture of conductive organic materials, inorganic materials, metals, metal oxides, carbon and carbon nanotubes or combinations or mixtures thereof. The dye is used to finish a fabric such that it is conductive.
These fabrics are useful in shielding law enforcement personnel from energy weapons discharge and in providing an electrostatic medium for personnel that work with static sensitive products. The fabrics, when appropriately grounded, dissipate the emitted charge and transmit it to ground. Additionally, the apparel has high wear resistance and is both thermally and electrically conductive yet is comfortable to wear, according to U.S. Patent 7,635,517.
Electrostatic charges can interfere with manufacturing processes, such as those used in the electronics industry where uncontrolled electrostatic discharge can result in the damage of products being manufactured. Additionally, manufacturing facilities which currently are prone to electrostatic damage of the products being made have developed comprehensive procedures, equipment and methods to combat the buildup and uncontrolled transfer of electrostatic charge. In addition the introduction of energy weapons as a means of incapacitating an individual has triggered the need for apparel formed from fabric that can transmit a high electrical charge.
Additionally, law enforcement personnel and other individuals use electronic control devices (e.g.,"stun guns" such as those made by and available from TASER of Scottsdale, Ariz. or similar devices), hereinafter referred to as "stun guns," to subdue individuals. The advent of individuals being allowed to buy stun gun technology results in a need for law enforcement personnel to have a means to counteract that threat.
Therefore a means to protect both manufacturers from losses due to electrostatic discharge and law enforcement personnel from stun guns is needed. The solution to electrostatic discharge and energy weapon attacks requires that the materials used or worn are capable of dissipating a significant electrical charge to protect either personnel or product.
Additionally many applications exist for a highly conductive three dimensional material such as a conductive fabric that has excellent lubricity and wear resistance. Examples of devices that could benefit from such a material are contact angular motion detectors or slides for measuring distance for use on equipment.
Mystic MD nano technology can create fabric for personal wear that is both comfortable and conductive. The fibers in the fabric or material create a highly conductive path for the electrostatic charge or stun gun electrical stimulus by providing a conductive medium for an electrical discharge. Thus, protective apparel made from conductive fabric transfers the electrical stimulus safely to ground or via an attached grounding conductor.
Mystic MD nano technology can create fabric for personal wear that is both comfortable and conductive. The fibers in the fabric or material create a highly conductive path for the electrostatic charge or stun gun electrical stimulus by providing a conductive medium for an electrical discharge. Thus, protective apparel made from conductive fabric transfers the electrical stimulus safely to ground or via an attached grounding conductor.
The process of making the fabric conductive utilizes the existing dye and finishing processes normally used on fabrics. However the dyes of the invention have been made conductive by incorporating a conductive mixture of conductive organic materials, amorphous carbon, inorganic materials, metals, metal oxides, carbon and carbon nanotubes or combinations or mixtures thereof. The nanotubes are selected such that the diameter is less than 30 nanometers and more preferably less than 20 nanometers.
To accomplish the grounding of the electrical stimulus, dyes using nano size particles, carbon black, metals, metal oxides, conductive mixtures of conductive organic materials, inorganic materials, and carbon nanotubes or combinations or mixtures thereof are applied to fabric or threads that are woven into or are applied to the apparel, creating a highly conductive apparel item that is capable of breathing and is neither course nor stiff as are those articles made by competing processes.
The apparel is both thermally and electrically conductive yet is comfortable to wear. It provides a surface with a low coefficient of friction because of the carbon attached to the fiber structure.
MysticMD formulates conductive nanoinks and nanocoating according to customer needs, and objectives. MysticMD nanoinks are useful for many applications including "printable electronics" to support a whole new generation of devices and revolutionize displays, electronic identification and sensing, photovoltaics, packaging, toys, and games and many other areas.
MysticMD is an early stage advanced materials company developing proprietary conductive coating solutions using formulations of carbon nanotubes alloyed with traditional materials and/or other nanoparticles to dramatically improve products, making them better, less expensive, and easier to manufacture. The company’s intellectual property portfolio includes patent-pending
Mystic Md is part of the University of Connecticut Technology Incubation Program. Leveraging its core proprietary technology and know-how, MysticMD is developing a robust product line, that includes:
MysticMD is an early stage advanced materials company developing proprietary conductive coating solutions using formulations of carbon nanotubes alloyed with traditional materials and/or other nanoparticles to dramatically improve products, making them better, less expensive, and easier to manufacture. The company’s intellectual property portfolio includes patent-pending
Mystic Md is part of the University of Connecticut Technology Incubation Program. Leveraging its core proprietary technology and know-how, MysticMD is developing a robust product line, that includes:
• altruvista® - high quality, single use blood glucose test strip that cuts manufacturing costs by 50%
• nCard™ - very affordable identification cards for personal verification using biometrics
• Intellimark™ - discreet security marks for authentication and anti-counterfeiting of high value items
• nanokote™ - durable, abrasion resistant materials that increase wear resistance in potentiometers by 150%
The U.S. market for batteries, MysticMD’s primary area of focus, is expected to reach $14.8 billion in 2009 with sales of lithium ion batteries at $2.7 billion. The global demand for batteries grew by about 6.5% annually from 2006 through 2008.
According to Innovative Research and Products lithium ion batteries will continue to be the dominant power source for mobile devices. Demand for battery solutions is being driven by a need to reduce dependence on oil, as well as growing concern about vehicle emissions. From 13 hybrid models in 2008, the market is expected to grow to nearly 75 hybrid models in 2014.
The total battery market for military and aerospace applications in 2007 was forecasted to be 111 million units growing at about 8.5% per year in units. This relates to $1.2 billion in revenue in 2007 growing at approximately 3% per year. Emerging applications and novel materials are driving the $9.1 billion market for mobile batteries and creating major new opportunities for alternative, innovative battery technologies, including Nanolite.
