QTC™: Quantum Tunneling Composite

Description

Transforms from Insulator to Conductor with Pressure

This flexible polymer exhibits extraordinary electrical resistance change when deformed by squeezing, pulling or twisting. In practice, QTC™ can be connected in quite simple ways to create anything from switches to force sensors. In its normal, uncompressed state, QTC acts as a near perfect insulator, but as it is gradually compressed it will allow more current through until it is nearly a perfect conductor. Fun to experiment with and great for turning anything with a screw-in battery compartment into an effective dimmer switch! Can also be used between layers of conductive fabric to make variable switches and variable resistors or capacitors.

It is claimed that electrons ‘pass’ through the insulation by a process called quantum tunneling. In classical physics, the electrons cannot pass through an insulating barrier, but according to quantum theory a wave can – and this is what happens in QTC™. Another way of describing the quantum tunneling effect is to say that a non-zero probability exists of electrons one side of the insulation barrier appearing on the other side.

QTC™ can be used as a solid state switch – in the “off” state it is a good insulator and in the “on” state it is as good as a metal conductor. It can be used to detect even very small changes due to compression, tension or other stresses and it can carry significant currents allowing for the direct control of loads. QTC™: Quantum Tunneling Composite

Rated for over one million compressions.
The maximum specified voltage is 40V, maximum current is 10 Amps.
Temperature variation (for a current of 1microA) shows an approximately linear increase in the resistance (R=63MOhm to R=1240MOhm) observed from 25°C to 180°C.

QTC™ (Cat. #A253) ………… $4.00