Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a mass resiliently connected to a body by a biasing device and adapted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body with an oscillation amplitude, a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy, and a resilient device disposed between the biasing device and one of the mass and the body, wherein the resilient device is configured to be deformed between the biasing device and the one of the mass and the body only when the oscillation amplitude exceeds a predetermined non-zero threshold amplitude. The resilient device may comprise one of a helical spring, an O-ring and a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer, a curved disc spring, a wave washer, and a split washer.

Abstract: A wind power generation system including a power generation unit having an elastically deformable base material in a shape of a longitudinal flat plate and a piezoelectric element disposed on the base material, and which generates electricity as the power generation unit is vibrated; the piezoelectric element is repeatedly bent and deformed by the vibration and stacked on the base material, the wind power generation system being configured to include a tension adjusting device that, when a wind speed is increased, moves the movable member to increase a tensile force that pulls the power generation unit in the longitudinal direction, and the tension adjusting device being a lift generating member that is formed integrally with the movable member so as to be extended and to have wing shape to both sides of the movable member and that moves the movable member based on lift generated according to the wind speed.

Abstract: A crystal vibrator that includes a crystal substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, including a vibration portion in a region including a center of the crystal substrate, and a first peripheral portion that surrounds a periphery of the vibration portion and that has a smaller thickness than the vibration portion. Drive electrodes are formed on both surfaces of the vibration portion of the crystal substrate. In at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the crystal substrate, a step is provided between the vibration portion and the first peripheral portion, and a first peripheral edge portion of the vibration portion and a second peripheral edge portion of the first peripheral portion are in a curved surface shape.

Abstract: A vibrator and an ultrasonic motor can exhibit a sufficient drive speed even when using lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. The ultrasonic motor includes an annular vibrator and an annular moving member arranged so as to be brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The piezoelectric ceramic piece contains lead in a content of less than 1,000 ppm. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, at least one non-drive phase electrode, and at least one detection phase electrode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe, in which a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arrayed in both of an azimuth direction and an elevation direction, includes a piezoelectric body configured to have a piezoelectric effect; and a matching layer configured to be laminated in an ultrasonic radiation direction of the piezoelectric body. The matching layer is divided in the azimuth direction without being divided in the elevation direction. The piezoelectric body is divided into plural parts in both of the azimuth direction and the elevation direction in such a manner that each of the plural parts of the piezoelectric body forms each of the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators.

Abstract: A single element ultrasound transducer is fabricated from a laminate plate which produces multiple transducer elements simultaneously. The laminate plate includes the piezo ceramic, matching layer, and backing layer with rear electrode. The laminate plate is diced while mounted on nitto tape to retain the individual elements in position after dicing. The sides of the elements are covered with an insulating coating, which permits the transducer elements to be surface mounted on flex circuit by bonding the rear electrode to a signal conductor of the flex circuit and the matching layer to a return conductor by metallically coating the mounted transducer element and return conductor on the flex circuit.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element which is a single-layer or laminated piezoelectric element has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric ceramic layer. The first electrode and second electrode contain silver by 50 percent by weight or more. The piezoelectric ceramic layer is placed between the first electrode and second electrode, and constituted by a polycrystalline substance of alkali niobate piezoelectric ceramic containing at least one alkali earth metal being calcium, strontium, or barium, and silver. According to this constitution, the electrical resistance and piezoelectric property can be improved, and consequently high reliability and good piezoelectric characteristics can be achieved.

Abstract: The subject disclosure can facilitate piezoelectrics for energy harvesting. In one example, an article of manufacture (AOM) is provided. The AOM can comprise a piezoelectric fabric comprising: a piezoelectric film; an elastic base on which the piezoelectric film is bonded forming a piezoelectric material; and a yarn, wherein the yarn and the piezoelectric material are coupled to one another in a defined ratio of interlacement. The yarn and the piezoelectric material are configured as coils in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material is configured such that compression or elongation of the piezoelectric material generates electrical energy. In some embodiments, the AOM further comprises a power management module coupled to the piezoelectric material and configured to store electrical energy received from the piezoelectric material. The AOM can also comprise a rivet, grommet or button coupled to the piezoelectric material or the power management module and configured to capture energy.

Abstract: A monolithic integration of phase change material (PCM) switches with a MEMS resonator is provided to implement switching and reconfiguration functionalities. MEMS resonator includes a piezoelectric material to control terminal connections to the electrodes. The PCM is operable between an ON state and an OFF state by application of heat, which causes the phase change material to change from an amorphous state to a crystalline state or from a crystalline state to an amorphous state, the amorphous state and the crystalline state each associated with one of the ON state and the OFF state. A method of fabricating the MEMS resonator with phase change material is provided. A reconfigurable filter system using the MEMS resonators is also provided.

Abstract: A crystal blank includes a vibrating arm which extends in a direction intersecting the polarization direction. In at least one of the upper surface and lower surface which are parallel to the direction of extension of the vibrating arm and run along polarization direction, the vibrating arm is provided with two recesses (grooves) in the width direction of the surface thereby having a pair of outer walls which are positioned on the two sides of the two recesses and a middle wall which is positioned between the two recesses. In the middle wall, the apex part is located at a position lower than the apex part of each of the pair of outer walls and is thinner than each of the pair of outer walls at the same heights.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device comprises an IDT electrode disposed above an upper surface of a piezoelectric substrate and includes a plurality of electrode fingers configured to excite a main acoustic wave. A first dielectric film made of an oxide is disposed above the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate and covers the plurality of electrode fingers. A second dielectric film made of non-oxide is disposed between the first dielectric film and each of the plurality of electrode fingers. A third dielectric film is disposed between the piezoelectric substrate and the plurality of electrode fingers. A speed of a transverse wave propagating through the third dielectric film is greater than a speed of the main acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric substrate. The third dielectric film contacts the first dielectric film between adjacent electrode fingers of the plurality of electrode fingers.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric element, a connection member of a shaft or weight connected to an element end surface of the piezoelectric element, the other one of the shaft and weight connected to a first end surface constituting an end surface opposing to the element end surface of the piezoelectric element, a wiring portion, and a resin portion. The piezoelectric element forms external electrodes on surfaces thereof, alternately laminates internal electrode layers with piezoelectric layers therebetween, and provides part of the external electrodes on the element end surface. The wiring portion has conductive portions corresponding to the external electrodes. The resin portion fixes the piezoelectric element, the connection member, and the wiring portion so that the element end surface opposes to the connection member with the wiring portion therebetween and that the conductive portions are electrically connected to the external electrodes.

Abstract: An exemplary ultrasonic motor includes an ultrasonic actuator, functioning as a waveguide resonator, formed as a rectangular piezo-electrical plate having two main surfaces and side surfaces that join the main surfaces together, an element to be driven and an electrical excitation device. At least one friction element is arranged on at least one side surface of the ultrasonic actuator and is in frictional contact with the element to be driven. The piezo-electrical plate is divided into three parts. The central part forms a generator for an acoustic longitudinal standing wave, and the peripheral parts bordering the central part form generators for an acoustic bending standing wave. Each generator is electrically connected to the electrical excitation device-can be electrically controlled, and can be divided into two equally-sized and electrically individually controllable sub-generators.

Abstract: MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include the capability of detecting both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions. Also provided are methods of making and using the systems, as well as devices that include the systems.

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric element that stably operates in a wide operating temperature range contains a lead-free piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material that includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3 (1.00?a?1.01, 0.02?x?0.30, 0.020?y?0.095, and y?x) as a main component and manganese incorporated in the perovskite-type metal oxide. The manganese content relative to 100 parts by weight of the perovskite-type metal oxide is 0.02 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less on a metal basis.

Abstract: A piezoelectric module includes an element substrate that includes a plurality of piezoelectric bodies (piezoelectric elements) arranged in an array, and a plurality of connection electrodes (lower connection electrode and upper connection electrode) that are connected to the piezoelectric body (piezoelectric element) and are drawn between the piezoelectric body (piezoelectric element) and an adjacent piezoelectric body (piezoelectric element), an input and output circuit that is provided on one surface side of the element substrate and independently inputs and outputs a signal from and to each of the connection electrodes (lower connection electrode and upper connection electrode), and columnar electrodes (first through electrode and second through electrode) each of which is provided between each of the connection electrodes (lower connection electrode and upper connection electrode) and the input and output circuit and connects each of the connection electrodes (lower connection electrode and upper connect

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic medical device that may include a surgical tool having a proximal end, an end effector, and a waveguide between them, a first transducer in mechanical communication with a first face of the surgical tool, and a second transducer in mechanical communication with an opposing face of the surgical tool, opposite the first transducer. The first transducer and the second transducer are configured to operate in a D31 mode with respect to the waveguide of the surgical tool. Another aspect comprises a method of fabricating the ultrasonic medical device, in which the surgical tool is machined from a portion of a flat metal stock so that the surgical tool has a longitudinal axis oriented at an angle with respect to a grain direction of the flat metal stock thereby optimizing an operational characteristic of the surgical tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a mass resiliently connected to a body by a biasing device and adapted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body with an oscillation amplitude, a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy, and a resilient device disposed between the biasing device and one of the mass and the body, wherein the resilient device is configured to be deformed between the biasing device and the one of the mass and the body only when the oscillation amplitude exceeds a predetermined non-zero threshold amplitude. The resilient device may comprise one of a helical spring, an O-ring and a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer, a curved disc spring, a wave washer, and a split washer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes an element substrate that includes a first surface (operating surface) and a second surface (back surface) on a side opposite to the first surface, and includes a recessed opening provided on the first surface and a supporting portion surrounding the recessed opening, a piezoelectric body that is provided on the second surface of the recessed opening, a plurality of connection electrodes (lower connection electrode and upper connection electrode) that are connected to the piezoelectric body and are drawn to the second surface of the supporting portion from the piezoelectric body, a reinforcement plate that is bonded to the second surface side of the element substrate, and a plurality of through electrodes that are provided at a position of the reinforcement plate which faces the supporting portion, pass through the reinforcement plate in a thickness direction, and are respectively connected to the plurality of connection electrodes.

Abstract: In a linear driving apparatus including a vibration wave motor, a sliding guide method is used as a guiding method for a moving member. The apparatus further includes a driving target body movable in a moving direction, a transmission member configured to engage with the driving target body, abut against the abutment part of the moving member, and transmit the driving force of the vibration wave motor to the driving target body, and a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force between the transmission member and the abutment part. The direction of a frictional contact force that the vibrator receives from the friction member and the direction of a biasing contact force that the abutment part receives from the biasing member are parallel and opposite, and the load center of the distribution load of the biasing contact force exists in the range of the outside shape of the vibrator.