Abstract: A piezoelectric capacitor includes A) a composite article that has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer (dry PL); 2) a first dry electrode comprising a dry electrically-conductive layer arranged contiguously with a first opposing surface of the dry PL; and 3) a second dry electrode arranged contiguously with a second opposing surface of the dry PL. The dry electrically-conductive layer has essentially (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The capacitor also has B) electrical communication means attached to both electrodes for electrical communication of the composite article with an external electrical circuit.

Abstract: An inertial piezoelectric device has: A) piezoelectric capacitor having a substrate; 2) a dry piezoelectric layer comprising a piezoelectric material; 3) a first electrode arranged contiguously with one opposing surface of the dry PL; and 4) a second electrode arranged contiguously with a second opposing surface of the first dry PL. The first dry electrically-conductive layer consists essentially of: (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The device also has B) signal processing electronics in electrical communication with the piezoelectric capacitor; C) a means for converting all or a portion of an applied force to an inertial force that is transmitted to the first dry PL; and optionally D) a proof mass that is contiguous with at least one external surface of the piezoelectric capacitor.

Abstract: A composite article is designed for use in various devices and to exhibit improved piezoelectric effects. The composite article has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer (first dry PL) comprising a piezoelectric material, and 2) a dry electrically-conductive layer arranged contiguously with an opposing surface of the first dry PL. The dry electrically-conductive layer essentially has (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%, and which (b) particles have a d50 of at least 500 nm and up to and including 500 ?m and a polydispersity coefficient that is less than or equal to 3. The weight ratio of the (b) particles to the (a) electrically-conductive material is at least 0.01:1 and up to and including 10:1.

Abstract: A composite article has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer comprising a piezoelectric material, 2) a dry dielectric layer arranged contiguously with at least one of the opposing surfaces of the dry piezoelectric layer, and 3) a pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes. The dry dielectric layer has essentially (a?) a dielectric material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a?) dielectric material by at least 10%.

Abstract: A composite article useful in various electronic devices has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer (first dry PL) comprising a piezoelectric material, and 2) one or more dry dielectric layers arranged contiguously with opposing surfaces of the first dry PL. The dry dielectric layer has essentially: (a?) a dielectric material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a?) dielectric material by at least 10%. The (b) particles have a d50 of at least 500 nm and up to and including 500 m and a polydispersity coefficient that is less than or equal to 3, provided that the weight ratio of the (b) particles to the (a?) dielectric material is at least 0.01:1 and up to and including 10:1.

Abstract: A composite article has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer, and 2) a pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes that are arranged contiguously with an opposing surface of the dry piezoelectric layer. Each electrode essentially has (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%.

Abstract: An inertial piezoelectric device has: A) piezoelectric capacitor having a substrate; 2) a dry piezoelectric layer comprising a piezoelectric material; 3) a first electrode arranged contiguously with one opposing surface of the dry PL; and 4) a second electrode arranged contiguously with a second opposing surface of the first dry PL. The first dry electrically-conductive layer consists essentially of: (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The device also has B) signal processing electronics in electrical communication with the piezoelectric capacitor; C) a means for converting all or a portion of an applied force to an inertial force that is transmitted to the first dry PL; and optionally D) a proof mass that is contiguous with at least one external surface of the piezoelectric capacitor.

Abstract: An inertial piezoelectric device has: A) piezoelectric capacitor having: 1) a substrate; 2) a dry piezoelectric layer; and 3) a first pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes that are arranged contiguously with an opposing surface of the first dry PL. The non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes consist essentially of: (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The device also has B) signal processing electronics in electrical communication with the piezoelectric capacitor; C) a means for converting all or a portion of an applied force to an inertial force that is transmitted to the first dry PL; and optionally D) a proof mass that is contiguous with at least one external surface of the piezoelectric capacitor.

Abstract: A piezoelectric capacitor is designed with A) a composite article that has: 1) a first dry piezoelectric layer; and 2) a first pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes that are arranged contiguously with at least one opposing surface of the dry piezoelectric layer. At least one of the non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes has (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The piezoelectric capacitor also has B) electrical communication means attached to each of the first pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes for electrical communication of the composite article with an external circuit.

Abstract: A composite article useful in various electronic devices has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer (first dry PL) comprising a piezoelectric material, and 2) one or more dry dielectric layers arranged contiguously with opposing surfaces of the first dry PL. The dry dielectric layer has essentially: (a?) a dielectric material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a?) dielectric material by at least 10%. The (b) particles have a d50 of at least 500 nm and up to and including 500 m and a polydispersity coefficient that is less than or equal to 3, provided that the weight ratio of the (b) particles to the (a?) dielectric material is at least 0.01:1 and up to and including 10:1.

Abstract: A piezoelectric capacitor includes A) a composite article that has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer (dry PL); 2) a first dry electrode comprising a dry electrically-conductive layer arranged contiguously with a first opposing surface of the dry PL; and 3) a second dry electrode arranged contiguously with a second opposing surface of the dry PL. The dry electrically-conductive layer has essentially (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The capacitor also has B) electrical communication means attached to both electrodes for electrical communication of the composite article with an external electrical circuit.

Abstract: A composite article has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer comprising a piezoelectric material, 2) a dry dielectric layer arranged contiguously with at least one of the opposing surfaces of the dry piezoelectric layer, and 3) a pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes. The dry dielectric layer has essentially (a?) a dielectric material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a?) dielectric material by at least 10%.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive composition essentially has (a) an electrically-conductive material consisting essentially of silver nanoparticles that have a d50 of less than or equal to 60 ?m and a d90 of less than or equal to 500 ?m; (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%, which (b) particles have a d50 of 500 nm to 300 ?m and a polydispersity coefficient of less than or equal to 3; (c) a binder material that is non-electrically-conductive; and (d) a solvent medium in an amount of less than or equal to 90 weight %, based on the total composition weight, which solvent medium is at least 50 weight % water. The weight ratio of the (b) particles to the (a) electrically-conductive material is at least 0.01:1 and up to and including 7:1.

Abstract: A composite article has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer, and 2) a pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes that are arranged contiguously with an opposing surface of the dry piezoelectric layer. Each electrode essentially has (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%.

Abstract: A kinetic piezoelectric device is designed with: A) piezoelectric capacitor that has: 1) a substrate; 2) a first dry piezoelectric layer (first dry PL) comprising a piezoelectric material and having first and second opposing surfaces; and 3) a first pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes that are arranged contiguously with at least one of the first and second opposing surfaces of the first dry PL. At least one of the first pair of non-electrically-connected co-planar patterned electrodes consists essentially of: (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The device also has B) signal processing electronics in electrical communication with the piezoelectric capacitor; and C) a means for transmitting all or a portion of an applied force directly to the first dry PL.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device can be provided by: A) providing a first dry piezoelectric layer (first dry PL) comprising a dielectric material and having first and second opposing surfaces; and B) providing a first dry electrically-conductive layer (first dry ECL-P) that is arranged contiguously with the first opposing surface of the first dry PL. The first dry ECL-P has (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles distributed within the (a) electrically-conductive material, the (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%, and which (b) particles have a d50 of at least 500 nm and up to and including 500 ?m and a polydispersity coefficient that is less than 3. The weight ratio of the (b) particles to the (a) electrically-conductive material is at least 0.01:1 and up to and including 10:1.

Abstract: A kinetic piezoelectric device has: A) piezoelectric capacitor having a substrate; a first dry piezoelectric layer comprising a piezoelectric material; 3) a first electrode; and 4) a second electrode. The first electrode has (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The device also has B) signal processing electronics in electrical communication with the piezoelectric capacitor; C) a means for transmitting all or a portion of an applied force to the first dry PL; and optionally D) a proof mass that is contiguous with at least one external surface of the piezoelectric capacitor.

Abstract: A composite article is designed for use in various devices and to exhibit improved piezoelectric effects. The composite article has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer (first dry PL) comprising a piezoelectric material, and 2) a dry electrically-conductive layer arranged contiguously with an opposing surface of the first dry PL. The dry electrically-conductive layer essentially has (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%, and which (b) particles have a d50 of at least 500 nm and up to and including 500 ?m and a polydispersity coefficient that is less than or equal to 3. The weight ratio of the (b) particles to the (a) electrically-conductive material is at least 0.01:1 and up to and including 10:1.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive composition essentially has (a) an electrically-conductive material consisting essentially of silver nanoparticles that have a d50 of less than or equal to 60 ?m and a d90 of less than or equal to 500 ?m; (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%, which (b) particles have a d50 of 500 nm to 300 ?m and a polydispersity coefficient of less than or equal to 3; (c) a binder material that is non-electrically-conductive; and (d) a solvent medium in an amount of less than or equal to 90 weight %, based on the total composition weight, which solvent medium is at least 50 weight % water. The weight ratio of the (b) particles to the (a) electrically-conductive material is at least 0.01:1 and up to and including 7:1.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive composition can be used with piezoelectric materials to enhance the piezoelectric effects. This composition essentially has (a) an electrically-conductive material; (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%, and which (b) particles have a d50 of at least 500 nm and up to and including 500 ?m and a polydispersity coefficient that is less than or equal to 3; and (c) a non-electrically-conductive binder material. The weight ratio of the (b) particles to the (a) electrically-conductive material is at least 0.01:1 and up to and including 10:1. When the composition is coated and dried on an insulating substrate, a resulting dried composition exhibits a resistivity of less than 10,000 ohm-cm.