METHOD FOR PRODUCING RESISTIVE GRADIENTS ON SUBSTRATES AND ARTICLES PRODUCED THEREBY

摘要

The invention is a method of forming a conductive coating on a structural substrate. The method involves depositing a relatively non-conductive precursor material in a solution state on the structural substrate using inkjet apparatus; The solution is dried to leave a film. Then, the dried film is heated to a level at which a chemical (pyrolysis) reaction is triggered to convert the dried precursor material to a conductive material. The precursor solution can be dried in a manner which does not result in its transformation to the conductive state, as for example through the use of microwave apparatus. The precursor material can be applied on the substrate in such a manner as to control the conductivity of the coating and to provide a coating which exhibits one of uniform characteristics. discrete patterns, or gradient characteristics.