(19)

(11)

EP 1 716 578 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 08.12.2005 (43) Date of publication: 02.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/44 (21) Application number: 05723019.5 (22) Date of filing: 14.02.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  H01B 1/22(2006.01) H05K 3/00(2006.01) H01B 1/24(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/004567 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/079353 (01.09.2005 Gazette 2005/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 18.02.2004 US 545139 P (71) Applicant: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC. Blacksburg, VA 24060 (US)	(72) Inventors: LU, Guo-Quan Blacksburg, VA 24060 (US) BAI, John, G. Blacksburg, VA 24060 (US) CALATA, Jesus, N. Blacksburg, VA 24060 (US) ZHANG, Zhiye Blacksburg, VA 24060 (US) (74) Representative: Robertson, James Alexander  Marks & Clerk 90 Long Acre London WC2E 9RA London WC2E 9RA (GB)