E. Rehmi Post Physicist, PhD

Stretchable Cable

2005, Sep

– cable, stretchable, electronic textiles,

Here we show how to arrange non-elastic elements (wires, fibers, etc.) in a geometry that can extend to several times its resting length. Furthermore, this can be done with existing braiding techniques and materials, obviating the need for specialized materials or equipment.

The resistance of this cable remains constant when it is stretched, unlike other elastic conductors whose resistance is a bulk or surface property. Since the conducting fiber does not itself stretch, the basic properties of the wire do not change as the braid is stretched.

We also can use multiple distinct, adjacent conductors and alternating conductors to form transmission lines with predictable impedance and twisted pairs to increase noise immunity. When a braid containing a balanced transmission line is stretched, the spacing between conductors decreases, and so does the characteristic impedance of the transmission line.

Rehmi Post, Kit Waal