NOVELTY - A polymer foam layer comprises: a layer comprising a polymer foam (60), the layer having an unabraded first surface (64) and an opposite, second surface (62); and several electrically conductive particles (70) dispersed within the polymer foam; where the electrically conductive particles essentially continuously span the polymer foam layer, and a portion of the electrically conductive particles are exposed at the first surface of the layer and another portion of the electrically conductive particles are exposed at the second surface.    USE - As polymer foam layer, particularly silicone foam used in article (claimed), or as gaskets for electromagnetic shielding, grounding pads, and battery contact conductive spring elements.    ADVANTAGE - The polymer foam layer has at least one of an electromagnetic shielding capacity of greater than or equal to 50 dB, a volume resistivity of 10-3 to 103 ohm-cm at a pressure of 689 kilopascals, and a compression force deflection value of 70-10500 kg/m2 at 25% deflection, measured in accordance with ASTM 1056. The electrically conductive particles are partially embedded in the removable layer so as to increase surface exposure of the electrically conductive particles when the removable layer is removed. This in turn enhances surface contact of electrically conductive particles with, e.g. another conductive layer, and reduces or eliminates the need to further process the foam surface in order to obtain sufficient particle contact at the surface of the foam layer. The surface contact of electrically conductive particles is achieved without significantly adversely affecting the physical properties of the polymer foams in order to more fully expose the conductive particles. The polymer foams are produced that are electrically conductive, and that also retain at least one of their compressibility, flexibility, compression set resistance, and cell uniformity.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) an article comprising the polymer foam layer, where the article is in the form of a gasket for electromagnetic shielding, a grounding pad, or a battery contact conductive spring element;    (2) manufacturing (m1) a polymer foam layer, involving: forming a precursor layer comprising a polymer foam precursor composition, and a filler composition comprising several magnetic, electrically conductive particles, where the precursor layer has a first surface and a second opposite surface, and is formed having the first surface disposed on a first removable layer; foaming the foam precursor composition to form a foamed layer, where the foamed layer has several cells (68); applying to the foamed layer a magnetic field of a strength and for a time effective to align the magnetic, electrically conductive particles into mutually isolated columns having a first end and a second end, where the particles essentially continuously span the foam layer between the first surface and the opposite second surface; curing the foamed layer; and prior to or during curing, exposing the first removable layer to heat at a temperature and for a time effective to allow the first ends of the columns adjacent to the first removable layer to partially embed in the first removable layer;    (3) manufacturing (m2) a silicone foam involving: extruding a mixture onto a first removable layer, the mixture comprising a polysiloxane polymer having hydride substituents, a blowing agent, a platinum based catalyst, and a filler composition comprising several magnetic, electrically conductive particles; and blowing and curing the mixture in an applied magnetic field to align the magnetic, electrically conductive particles into mutually isolated pathways that essentially continuously span the foam between a first surface and a second opposite surface of the foam and partially embed into the first removable layer, where the first surface of the foam adjoins the first removable layer.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic diagram of electrically conductive polymer foam layer with dispersed electrically conductive particles.    Polymer foam (60)    Second surface (62)    Unabraded first surface (64)    Cells (68)    Electrically conductive particles (70)