Conductive function

 Conduction through liquid held in the pores 

Our customer asked us to develop a porous component with a continuous protrusion shape that would readily absorb water. The component was to be used as part of a device to safely deliver a small current to non-planar surfaces. Our standard porous material is permeable and flexible, but hydrophobic, so a hydrophilic treatment was required. Once treated, the pores hold liquid, and the current passes through that liquid. A conductive material is also added, but only in a supporting role: the material itself does not conduct, and the part does not conduct in the dry state. The required shape was achieved by injection moulding.