Whisker Manufacturing, Detection, Response, and Compound Manufacturing Apparatus and Method

摘要

An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing compounds of various types of metal and metal alloy whiskers comprising:
identifying an application for a material compound which may be formed based on a combination of materials which comprise a first composition of matter, a second composition of matter, and a third composition of matter, wherein said first composition of matter comprises a first material having a first predetermined tendency for nucleation and growth of a protrusive metal structure that erupts outward from a grain or several grains on a metal surface under predetermined formation conditions, said second composition of matter is said protrusive metal structure formed from said first material, said third composition of matter comprises materials that are selected or adapted to chemically react with said second composition of matter to form said material compound upon application of a plurality of chemical reaction steps; providing a substrate comprising said first composition of matter or a fourth composition of matter that is adapted to receive said first composition of matter that is selected or adapted to have a second predetermined tendency to influence or alter said first predetermined tendency for formation of said protrusive metal structure from said second composition of matter, wherein said substrate is adapted to increase formation of said protrusive metal structure including by means of forming a plurality of protrusions adapted to receive said third composition of matter; forming said first composition of matter as a coating on said substrate; forming said protrusive metal structure based on in part adjusting an environment in relation to said substrate formed with said coating to maximize said first or second predetermined tendency said protrusive metal structure will form on said substrate and coating as well as maximizing speed and density of said protrusive metal structure formation; executing at least a portion of said chemical reaction steps comprising exposing said protrusive metal structures formed on said substrate and coating to said third composition of matter that is adapted to chemically react with said protrusive metal structures to form a plurality of altered said protrusive metal structures comprising said material compound; separating at least a portion of said plurality of altered protrusive metal structures comprising said material compound from said substrate and coating so as to prevent or minimize damage to said substrate; and collecting said separated at least a portion of said altered protrusive metal structures.