The present invention is related to a composite sheet material, a method of producing
this material, and the application of this material as a sensor for monitoring
and measuring shear forces (or lateral translation). In one embodiment, the present
invention includes a composite sheet material having an upper and a lower surface
comprising an elastomeric matrix, which is essentially non-conductive, and discrete
electrically conductive elements within the matrix wherein the electrically conductive
elements in a region of the composite sheet material are arranged into columns,
and the orientation of these columns are in an essentially organized, non-random
pattern with a majority of these columns oriented at angles less than about 90
and greater than about 15 to the lower surface of the composite sheet material.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides for a method of forming the sensors.
