Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer thin film is formed from a crystallizable polymer and an additive configured to interact with the polymer to facilitate chain alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film and its method of manufacture may be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive may be less than approximately 5% of the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. Example polymers may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. Example additives may occupy up to approximately 60 wt. % of the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film may be characterized by a piezoelectric coefficient (d31) of at least approximately 5 pC/N or an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.1.

Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer article is formed from a crystallizable fluoropolymer and a nucleating agent. The polymer article may be a thin film or a fiber, for example. A crystalline phase may constitute at least approximately 50% of the polymer article. In certain examples, a fluoropolymer may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. The polymer article may include up to approximately 10 wt. % of the nucleating agent. Such a polymer article is optically transparent, has an elastic modulus of at least approximately 3 GPa, and an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.15.

Abstract: A front end for a glass forming operation including an open channel and at least one burner. The channel surface has at least one burner port and a burner oriented in the burner port at an acute angle relative to the channel surface. The surface may be a top, side or end wall and the burner port is at an acute angle relative to the surface of the wall.