Abstract: A dielectric elastomer power generation system A1 includes a dielectric elastomer power generation element 3 having a dielectric elastomer layer 31 and a pair of electrode layers 32 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 31. The dielectric elastomer power generation system A1 further includes a piezoelectric element 1 and a multi-stage voltage multiplier/rectifier circuit 2 that boosts and rectifies the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element 1 and applies the resulting voltage as an initial voltage to the dielectric elastomer power generation element 3. This configuration enables the system to be constructed at a lower cost and increase the amount of power generation.

Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system comprising an actuator body, hydraulic pump, electric motor, plurality of sensors, energy storage facility, and controller is provided. The method comprises disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.

Abstract: Aircraft fire and overheat detection systems are described. The systems include a support bracket configured to secure the system to a component of an aircraft. A terminal assembly is fixedly connected to the support bracket and includes a connection assembly and a connection cable. A sensing element is electrically connected to the terminal assembly and arranged to detect at least one of fire and heat associated with the component of the aircraft. A protective sleeve is arranged about the connection assembly and connection cable. The sleeve has a lug portion at a first end with a sealing protrusion extending radially inward, a first wire portion, and a second wire portion, with progressively smaller diameters for each portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may include sensor pixels with interleaved ultrasonically-sensitive regions. Each of a plurality of sensor pixels in the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may include nine distinct ultrasonically-sensitive regions electrically coupled to a common readout circuit, where there is an ultrasonically-sensitive region of another sensor pixel disposed between each of the nine distinct ultrasonically-sensitive regions. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may further include circuitry for binning together groups of sensor pixels during certain lower-resolution operations such as touch sensor operations. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may be used in capturing fingerprint images that are then used in an authentication process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved wireless recharging efficiency and decreased processing requirements are described. A plurality of duty cycle/input voltage pairs are stored in a recharger, corresponding to three subsets: a first subset corresponding to a constant minimum input voltage and an increasing duty cycle; a second subset corresponding to a constant duty cycle and an increasing input voltage; and a third subset corresponding to a maximum input voltage and an increasing duty cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibronic sensor for determining a process variable of a medium in a containment, comprising a mechanically oscillatable unit, a driving/receiving unit and an electronics unit having an adaptive filter. The present invention relates also to a method for operating the sensor. The electronics unit is embodied alternately to execute a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The driving/receiving unit is embodied during the first operating mode to excite the oscillatable unit using an electrical excitation signal. During the second operating mode, the exciting of the oscillatable unit is interrupted and the oscillations of the oscillatable unit are received and transduced into an electrical, received signal. At least one filter characteristic of the adaptive filter is set such that a predeterminable phase shift is present between the excitation signal and the received signal, and the process variable is determined from the received signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a drive circuit includes a first circuit part. The first circuit part includes a first detecting part, a second detecting part, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The first detecting part is configured to detect a first piezoelectric element current flowing in a first piezoelectric element, and output a first detection signal corresponding to the first piezoelectric element current. The second detecting part is configured to detect a first capacitance element current flowing in a first capacitance element, and output a second detection signal corresponding to the first capacitance element current. The first circuit includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The first circuit is configured to apply a first drive signal to the first piezoelectric element and the first capacitance element. The second circuit is configured to supply a first differential signal to the second input terminal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power control circuit includes a converter, a signal generating circuit, an estimation unit, and a controller. The converter includes a switching circuit and is configured to transform an output voltage from a power generator. The signal generating circuit is configured to transmit a signal to the switching circuit. The estimation unit is configured to determine a switching operation condition based on vibration information indicative of a vibration applied to the power generator. The controller is configured to control an operation of the switching circuit based on the determined switching operation condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sound vibration sensor using a piezoelectric element having a cantilever structure. The sound vibration sensor includes a housing forming an exterior, a piezoelectric element having a cantilever structure installed in the housing, a support structure supporting a fixed end of the piezoelectric element, a weight attached to a free end of the piezoelectric element, and an energizing part configured to transmit an output from the piezoelectric element, wherein the sound vibration sensor comes into contact with a speaker's body, receives vibration of the body generated when the speaker utters a sound through the housing, and amplifies the vibration by the free end of the piezoelectric element to detect the voice vibration of the speaker using a piezoelectric characteristic of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: This module comprises: a circuit for interfacing with the piezoelectric beam of an oscillating pendular unit, outputting a rectified signal comprising a sequence of pulses at a frequency equal to a multiple of the oscillation frequency of the pendular unit; a buffer capacitor charged by the successive pulses outputted by the interface circuit; and a converter regulator adapted to convert a capacitor discharge current into a stabilized power supply voltage, and controlled by a feedback control stage of the Maximum Power-Point Tracking (MPPT) type. A comparator detects the conduction of a blocking diode interposed between the interface circuit and the capacitor, in order to produce a signal representative of the current value of the duty cycle of the detected conduction and non-conduction periods.

Abstract: An information processing method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: acquiring, from a video, flow line information of a customer; detecting that the customer acquires an item; and storing, in a storage, flow line information of the customer and information on a number of items acquired by the customer, in association with each other.

Abstract: Provided is a rhomboid structured triboelectric nanogenerator based on a built-in U-shaped support. The device includes a diamond-shaped bracket and two U-shaped supports. The U-shaped supports is connected with the diamond-shaped bracket through four connecting rods, and the supporting plates of U-shaped supports are sequentially adhered with metal conductor layer and a dielectric material layer, which forms the power generation unit. When the diamond-shaped bracket is closed, the dielectric material layers on the two supporting plates come into contact to produce friction charge; and then subjected to the reverse force after compression of the spring, the two dielectric material layers are separated, so as to generate an induction electric field by the friction charge and form a potential difference. Compared with an existing vibration energy harvester, the advantages will be small space occupation, a long service life, simple fabrication, and a high energy conversion rate.

Abstract: Described herein is an energy harvesting system comprising a transducer and a processor. The transducer generates an electric signal from ambient energy. The processor is configured to process the electric signal to perform pattern recognition of the electric signal so as to determine and output a characteristic of a source of the ambient energy. The pattern recognition comprises statistical analysis and frequency domain analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device for measuring a specific quantity, the device having a two-wire interface having two connection terminals intended to be connected to a conductive pair supplying the measuring device and conveying in return an electrical quantity representative of the measured quantity. The device comprises a transducer providing a raw measurement of the determined quantity, a processing stage for conditioning the raw measurement, the processing stage including one input connected to the transducer and one output, a regulator electrically connected to the processing stage. The regulator includes an input port electrically connected to the two connection terminals of the two-wire interface and an output port supplying regulated voltage to the transducer and/or to the processing stage. The device also includes a feedback circuit electrically connected to the regulator input port and to the processing stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensation device for the compensation of a phase shift caused a component of an electronic system unit of a vibronic sensor. The compensation device includes a bridging unit for the electrical bridging of at least the electromechanical converter; a signal generator for generating a test excitation signal; a phase detection unit for determining the phase shift between the test excitation signal and a test receive signal that passes through the bridging unit and the component of the electronic system unit; and a computer unit which determines a phase compensation instruction from the first phase shift.

Abstract: A shoe energy collecting device includes a shell, a piezoelectric assembly, an elastic component, a magnet array, a base, a supporting block, an upper friction assembly and a lower friction assembly. The shell includes a supporting shell and a plastic shell connected in sequence. The base is provided below the supporting block in the supporting shell, the lower friction assembly is provided between the supporting block and the base. The upper friction assembly is provided on an inner wall of a top surface of the plastic shell. A coil is provided on a lower surface of the lower friction assembly at a side of the plastic shell, and the magnet array is provided below the coil. The piezoelectric assembly is provided in the plastic shell, the elastic component is provided on a side wall of the plastic shell away from the supporting block, and connected with the piezoelectric assembly.

Abstract: A piezoelectric system comprises a piezoelectric sensor, a voltage stabilizer, a discharger and an operation sensor. The piezoelectric sensor outputs a sensing signal through a sensor output terminal according to a rate of change of pressure. The voltage stabilizer has a positive terminal electrically connecting with the sensor output terminal. The voltage stabilizer receives the sensing signal, stores the energy of the sensing signal, and keeps the voltage of the sensing signal as a constant when the rate of change of pressure is zero. The discharger has a first terminal connecting with the positive terminal, a second terminal coupled to ground, and a control terminal receiving a trigger signal to control the first terminal to conduct with or not conduct with the second terminal. The operation sensor electrically connects to the control terminal for sensing an operation generating the pressure and outputs the trigger signal accordingly.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode; a piezoelectric layer, placed on or above the first electrode, containing potassium, sodium, niobium, titanium, and oxygen; and a second electrode placed on or above the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring for presence of insects in non-hollow trees, the system including a structural element configured to be driven into the tree's interior and bearing a vibration sensor; and a processor configured to receive data recorded by the sensor, to detect presence of insects in the tree's interior by analyzing said data, and to generate alerts accordingly.

Abstract: An electrostatic energy harvester broadly comprises an electrical energy storage component, an electrical energy transfer stage, first and second variable capacitors, and a switching control module. The electrical energy transfer stage includes diode-connected transistors and dictates electrical energy transfer between the electrical energy storage component and the variable capacitors. The switching control module timely switches between the first and second variable capacitors according to a state machine. Subsequent electrical energy investments from the electrical energy storage component are less than an initial electrical energy investment due to remnant electrical energy remaining at the previously active one of the first and second variable capacitors from previous electrical energy harvesting.

Abstract: Piezoelectric elements are attractive for systems in which both sensing and actuating is required because a single element, i.e. the piezoelectric actuator, can be used that act as both a sensor and an actuator. In conventional systems combining both actuating and sensing functionality, active circuitry is required to read the sensor, and that circuitry requires static and/or dynamic current from a few microamps to a few milliamps. In systems where buttons are used a few times a day, this requirement for current leads to a significant amount of wasted power. Accordingly, a wake-up circuit is provided that does not draw power when no force is applied to the piezoelectric actuator but is capable of detecting pressure applied to the piezo actuator, generate a power-up signal to the actuating circuit, and initiate a haptic feedback with low-latency.

Abstract: Provided is a self-resonance tuning piezoelectric energy harvester. The self-resonance tuning piezoelectric energy harvester includes a piezoelectric beam which extends along a horizontal direction, a fixing element which fixes two ends of the piezoelectric beam, and a mass which is connected to the piezoelectric beam movably along the piezoelectric beam, wherein the mass includes a through-hole through which the piezoelectric beam passes, and makes the movement through the through-hole. According to the principle of continuous movement to the resonance position, the mass of the self-resonance tuning piezoelectric energy harvester induces the piezoelectric beam to generate displacement to the maximum and maximize the electricity production capacity of the piezoelectric energy harvester.

Abstract: A piezoelectric generator for generating power upon an acceleration and upon a deceleration of a body. The piezoelectric generator including: first and second masses; first and second springs, the first spring being connected to the body at one end and to the first mass at an other end, the second spring being connected to the body at one end and to the second spring at an other end; and a piezoelectric material connected to the first and second masses such that the piezoelectric material generates power when the body is accelerated or decelerated.

Abstract: A high voltage pulse generating system has a latching element coupled in between a ferroelectric generator (FEG) and a load, such as a vector inversion generator. Such a latching element prevents the return of current to the FEG when the FEG undergoes mechanical destruction after depolarization, thereby increasing the useful amount of energy extracted from the FEG. In some embodiments, multiple FEGs are configured with multiple latching elements to deliver multiple high-voltage, high-current pulses.

Abstract: A piezoelectric generator including: a piezoelectric element; a circuit for shorting and placing in open circuit the piezoelectric element; and an inductive converter.

Abstract: Provided are actuation devices, virtual reality devices formed from the actuation devices, and related virtual reality methods. The devices may comprise a plurality of spatially distributed actuators, each actuator configured for interacting with a biological skin surface; a wireless controller configured to receive operative command signals to control each of the actuators; and a wireless power system to power the actuators. Also provided are unique layouts of multiple interconnected devices to achieve large area coverage.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensing apparatus includes an accommodating shell and at least one detection device. The accommodating shell includes a base and a convex portion connected to the base. A side of the base has a first detection opening toward a first direction, and a side of the convex portion has a second detection opening toward a second direction. Each of the at least one detection device is disposed in the base or the convex portion of the accommodating shell and includes a board, a piezoelectric assembly, a housing and a plurality of fixing members. The plurality of fixing members are configured to fix the board on the top wall of the housing to press the board to the encapsulating body of the piezoelectric assembly, thereby pressing the piezoelectric sheet to the bottom wall.

Abstract: A rolling-element bearing unit includes at least one inner ring, an outer ring, and first and second rolling-element rows between the at least one inner ring and the outer ring, the second rolling-element row being axially spaced from the first rolling-element row by a gap, and the bearing unit including at least one sensor unit in the gap.

Abstract: In accordance with the present application, a high-density, low-impedance piezoelectric power generator is provided. In an example embodiment, the piezoelectric power generator has a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a first predefined pattern; a plurality of actuators arranged in a second predefined pattern operably positioned to excite one or more of the plurality of the piezoelectric elements simultaneously within at least a first subset; and an electrical conduction system connected to sum the electrical power produced by the simultaneously excited piezoelectric elements within the first subset and for conducting an electrical current.

Abstract: An electroactive device may include a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and a tertiary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the secondary electrode. The electroactive device may also include (i) a first electroactive polymer element including a first elastomer material disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, and (ii) a second electroactive polymer element including a second elastomer material disposed between and abutting the secondary electrode and the tertiary electrode. Various other devices, methods, and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An embodiment of a harvester apparatus comprising two or more charge pump stages may include at least a first charge pump stage to receive an alternating current source, and a second charge pump stage coupled to the first charge pump stage.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies for a self-powered squeezed-light temperature regulation device are disclosed according various embodiments. The device can include an elastic anchor sheet, a thermostat regulator, a motion power transducer, and a squeezed-light cooling unit. The motion power transducer can be in electrical communication with the thermostat regulator. The squeezed-light cooling unit can be powered by the motion power transducer. The motion power transducer can include a flexible ionic diode that can be located between a first borophene sheet and a second borophene sheet, and a capacitor charge system that can be electrically connected to a collection wire that can direct an electric charge generated by the flexible ionic diode to the capacitor charge system. The squeezed-light cooling unit can include a microwave photon circuit that can create squeezed-light microwave photons and a squeezed-light cooling drum that can be in photonic communication with the microwave photon circuit.

Abstract: A device for evaluation of a tissue's biological or biomechanical character is disclosed. The device uses negative pressure to draw a portion of the tissue across one or more electrode pairs disposed within the device. By measuring one or more parameters associated with an electric or magnetic field defined by the electrode pairs, in vivo evaluation of the tissue's biological or biomechanical character may be achieved in a minimally invasive manner. The device may also include an indenter to apply a positive stress on the tissue within the sidewall to further evaluate its biological or biomechanical character. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to wireless sensing nodes, energy harvesting, and energy charging. The disclosure also generally relates to reporting data gathered by the wireless sensing nodes to one or more network services.

Abstract: The proposed method relates to the field of providing physical feedback to a user from a virtual application, particularly a computer game or other software applications. The method for interactive physiological and technological synchronization of a user with a virtual environment includes taking the user's biometric and/or kinematic parameters, transferring the user's biometric and/or kinematic parameters to an application program, generating feedback signals in the application program, transmitting the feedback signals to a computing device, processing the feedback signals and supplying feedback pulses which invoke physical sensations in the nervous system of the user through contact with the user's skin, wherein the feedback pulses are supplied using the principle of cascaded distribution of electrical pulses. Also claimed are variants of a wearable apparatus for implementation of the proposed method. The proposed method and apparatus allow for creating a deep-sense reality for the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a multi-dimensional electric potential sensor array to remotely quantitatively measure static, quasi-static, and dynamic electric potential and electric field in free space, and emanating and propagating from objects. Various embodiments enable the evaluation of the integrity of electronic circuits and electronic components by quantitatively and dynamically imaging electric potential generated during electronic circuit activation, operation, and deactivation. In various embodiments, the electrical potential of active electronics and objects of interest in containers may be quantitatively measured by the electric potential and electric field methods and by using specified materials in a combined structural and electronic component design to construct a multi-dimensional sensor array.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for providing semiconductor chip security using piezoelectricity. According to an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises an integrated circuit chip comprising a pass transistor that electrically connects two or more electrical components of the integrated circuit chip. The apparatus further comprises a piezoelectric element electrically connected to a gate electrode of the pass transistor; and a packaging component that is physically connected to the piezoelectric element and applies a mechanical force to the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element generates and provides a voltage to the gate electrode as a result of the mechanical force, thereby causing the pass transistor to be in an on-state. In one implementation, the two or more electrical components comprise a circuit and a power source. In another implementation, the two or more electrical components comprise two circuits.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments providing audio frequency therapy. An audio therapy device can emit vibrations of varying frequencies. When a controller of the device is activated, the controller can transmit frequency commutations to a transducer. The transducer can emit vibrations corresponding to the frequency commutations that cause at least a first enhancer and a second enhancer to vibrate. These vibrations are then transferred to one or more parts of a human body that are in contact with pads of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports boot for the pursuit of ski sport. The sports boot comprises a sensor arrangement (29) having several pressure-sensitive sensors (9a-d) in a distributed layout which are respectively connected or can be connected via cable connections (17a-d) to an electronic signal processing device. At least one first sensor (9a) is positioned in a forefoot portion (31) of the sole arrangement (30) of the sports boot and at least one second sensor (9b) is positioned in a heel portion (32) of the sole arrangement (30). A first cable connection (17a) between the at least one first sensor (9a) and the electronic signal processing device and a second cable connection (17b) between the at least one second sensor (9b) and the electronic signal processing device are respectively starting from the at least one first sensor (9a) and from the at least one second sensor (9b) and each run in the direction towards a sole center region (34) of the sole arrangement (30).

Abstract: A method in which at least one piezoceramic sensor, which converts every mechanical force to which it is subjected into an electrical signal and having a Curie temperature higher than 200° C., is solidarized directly onto the surface of a metal support element of a vehicle braking element, which during use faces a vehicle element to be braked. While in contact with such a surface, an electrical circuit is implemented that picks up and eventually processes the electrical signal, the electrical circuit being connected with a connector integrated with the metal support element. An electrically insulating layer sandwiches the at least one piezoceramic sensor and the electrical circuit, and a block of friction material with an underlying damping layer is formed upon the electrically insulating layer. After forming the block of friction material, the piezoceramic sensor is polarized by applying a predetermined potential difference thereto by means of the connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling devices, comprising a plurality of actuated devices disposed on a substrate, each of the actuated devices comprising a first electrode disposed on and electrically connect to the substrate, a connecting pad disposed on the substrate, an electro-active polymer layer comprising a first surface disposed on the connecting pad and a second surface, and a second electrode disposed on the second surface of the electro-active polymer layer and electrically connected to the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and its manufacturing method are presented. The manufacturing method includes providing a substrate structure; forming a first metal layer on the substrate structure; forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer; forming a first oxide layer on the second metal layer at a first temperature; and conducting the remaining manufacturing processes including thermal processes at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature. This method reduces the concentration of the first metal diffused into the surface of the second metal layer during the thermal processes, thus reducing the amount of the oxide of the first metal formed on the surface of the second metal layer. Therefore, it is beneficial to the establishment of metal wire connections.

Abstract: A rotary system mounted piezoelectric generator has a folded beam structure in which the whole or part of a spring is formed with a piezoelectric generation element, in which one end is provided in a drive rotation system and in which a weight is attached to the other end, the degree of freedom of motion of the weight is two or more-dimensional and thus it is possible to easily change the locus thereof. The beam has a spiral structure such that when the drive rotation system is rotated, a centrifugal force applied to the weight is efficiently modulated by a second force other than the centrifugal force. A self-powered wireless communication terminal is operated with an extremely small amount of power consumption by use of a wireless connection control means and a modulation scattering response antenna which perform multilevel phase-shift keying (MPSK).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sound generating apparatus, an electrode device and a method for manufacturing the same. The sound generating apparatus includes a sound generating member, a piezoelectric buzzer and a front cover, wherein the front cover is attached to the front of the sound generating member, and the piezoelectric buzzer is attached to the front cover.

Abstract: An electric device for detecting pressure and a pressure sensor includes an electric current channel arranged to conduct an electric current, wherein the electric current channel is disposed adjacent or proximate to a pressure sensitive structure. Upon the pressure sensitive structure being subjected to a change of an external pressure, the pressure sensitive structure is arranged to manipulate a first electrical characteristic of the electric current channel.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies for a self-powered squeezed-light temperature regulation device are disclosed according various embodiments. The device can include an elastic anchor sheet, a thermostat regulator, a motion power transducer, and a squeezed-light cooling unit. The motion power transducer can be in electrical communication with the thermostat regulator. The squeezed-light cooling unit can be powered by the motion power transducer. The motion power transducer can include a flexible ionic diode that can be located between a first borophene sheet and a second borophene sheet, and a capacitor charge system that can be electrically connected to a collection wire that can direct an electric charge generated by the flexible ionic diode to the capacitor charge system. The squeezed-light cooling unit can include a microwave photon circuit that can create squeezed-light microwave photons and a squeezed-light cooling drum that can be in photonic communication with the microwave photon circuit.

Abstract: Example blood pressure apparatus using active materials and related methods are described herein. An example apparatus includes a band to be worn around a limb of a user, an active material carried by the band and a controller to: (1) apply an activation signal to the active material to constrict blood flow in the limb, and (2) reduce the activation signal to allow blood flow in the limb.

Abstract: A terminal includes an RF-DC conversion circuit outputting DC current by converting AC current received via wireless communication into DC current, a DC-DC converter connected to an output side of RF-DC conversion circuit to convert a voltage of DC current output from RF-DC conversion circuit to a predetermined voltage, and a controller controlling connection and disconnection between RF-DC conversion circuit and DC-DC converter. Controller acquires open circuit voltage Vin_oc on an output side of RF-DC conversion circuit, which is obtained when RF-DC conversion circuit and DC-DC converter are disconnected from each other, and target voltage ?Vin_oc (0<?<1) obtained by dividing open circuit voltage Vin_oc. When RF-DC conversion circuit and DC-DC converter are connected to each other, controller performs feedback control of DC-DC converter so that an input voltage Vin on a side where DC-DC converter is connected to RF-DC conversion circuit is equal to target voltage ?Vin_oc.

Abstract: The proposed method relates to the field of providing physical feedback to a user from a virtual application, particularly a computer game or other software applications. The method for interactive physiological and technological synchronization of a user with a virtual environment includes taking the user's biometric and/or kinematic parameters, transferring the user's biometric and/or kinematic parameters to an application program, generating feedback signals in the application program, transmitting the feedback signals to a computing device, processing the feedback signals and supplying feedback pulses which invoke physical sensations in the nervous system of the user through contact with the user's skin, wherein the feedback pulses are supplied using the principle of cascaded distribution of electrical pulses. Also claimed are variants of a wearable apparatus for implementation of the proposed method. The proposed method and apparatus allow for creating a deep-sense reality for the user.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for providing semiconductor chip security using piezoelectricity. According to an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises an integrated circuit chip comprising a pass transistor that electrically connects two or more electrical components of the integrated circuit chip. The apparatus further comprises a piezoelectric element electrically connected to a gate electrode of the pass transistor; and a packaging component that is physically connected to the piezoelectric element and applies a mechanical force to the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element generates and provides a voltage to the gate electrode as a result of the mechanical force, thereby causing the pass transistor to be in an on-state. In one implementation, the two or more electrical components comprise a circuit and a power source. In another implementation, the two or more electrical components comprise two circuits.