Abstract: A method of forming a piezoelectric device may include depositing a sol-gel film over a substrate and curing the sol-gel film by impinging light onto an exposed surface of the sol-gel film to form a piezoelectric ceramic element. The method may produce a piezoelectric composite material including at least two piezoelectric ceramic pillars over the substrate. The at least two piezoelectric pillars may include at least one layer. The at least one layer having a gradient density, such that a first portion of the at least one layer proximate the substrate has a density lower than a second portion that is located a greater distance from the substrate than the first portion. The piezoelectric composite material may further include a resin separating the at least two piezoelectric ceramic pillars.

Abstract: A method of designing and forming at least one element of an acoustic transducer. The method includes receiving one or more required operating parameters of the at least one element of the acoustic transducer for an application, iteratively modeling and simulating performance of one or more materials to utilize within the at least one element of the acoustic transducer, iteratively modeling and simulating performance of one or more structures to utilize within the at least one element of the acoustic transducer, identifying at least one material and at least one structure that exhibit predicted performance that at least achieves the one or more required operating parameters of the at least one element of the acoustic transducer for the application, outputting a design of the at least one element of the acoustic transducer, and forming the at least one element of the acoustic transducer via one or more additive manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Ceramic heating devices with a three-dimensional ceramic element are disclosed for protecting surfaces from icing. The shape of the three-dimensional ceramic element can be configured to physically match to the three-dimensional profile of the protected surface, allowing for high thermal coupling with the surface. The shape of the three-dimensional ceramic element can also be configured to form an aerodynamic surface typically found on the exterior of aircraft.

Abstract: Ceramic heating devices with a three-dimensional ceramic element are disclosed for protecting surfaces from icing. The shape of the three-dimensional ceramic element can be configured to physically match to the three-dimensional profile of the protected surface, allowing for high thermal coupling with the surface. The shape of the three-dimensional ceramic element can also be configured to form an aerodynamic surface typically found on the exterior of aircraft.