Abstract: The disclosed sensor chip includes a substrate and a moving member coupled to the substrate and disposed for movement relative to the substrate. The moving member moves relative to the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction in response to movement of the substrate. The first direction is different than the second direction. The moving member includes a plurality of receptors. The receptors are configured for selectively binding to a first measurand.

Abstract: Laser beam machining is applied to form arbitrarily shaped electroactive ceramics for transducers (e.g., electromechanical sensors and actuators). One particularly preferred embodiment of the invention comprises machining parallel grooves in a ceramic plate to improve flexibility. The grooves provide strain relief in bending by relieving Poisson strains transverse to the direction of bending. This embodiment offers the further benefit that planar anisotropy or directionality is introduced in the transducer. The machining process of the invention further enables the production of more complex geometries than those currently known in the art. Because of the flexibility of the machining process, virtually any desired transducer shape may be produced.

Abstract: A vibration based power generator. In a described embodiment, an electrical power generating system includes a vibrating assembly including a vortex shedding device which sheds vortices in response to fluid flow across the vibrating assembly. A generator generates electrical power in response to vibration of the vibrating assembly. The vortex shedding device sheds the vortices at a frequency which is substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the vibrating assembly.

Abstract: The disclosed sensor chip includes a substrate and a moving member coupled to the substrate and disposed for movement relative to the substrate. The moving member moves relative to the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction in response to movement of the substrate. The first direction is different than the second direction. The moving member includes a plurality of receptors. The receptors are configured for selectively binding to a first measurand.

Abstract: An ignition system employing a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side and an output side. The ignition system further includes circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown and a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a piezoelectric transformer having substantially improved performance. The piezoelectric element is composed of a single crystal of a relaxor ferroelectric piezoelectric material. This element is coupled to input and output electrodes. The element vibrates mechanically in response to an input signal, which causes an output signal to be generated at the output electrodes. Improved power transmission is observed despite the reduced mechanical Q of the single crystal material, because the coupling and dielectric strength of the material are improved relative to polycrystals.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a piezoelectric transformer having substantially improved performance. The piezoelectric element is composed of a single crystal of a relaxor ferroelectric piezoelectric material. This element is coupled to input and output electrodes. The element vibrates mechanically in response to an input signal, which causes an output signal to be generated at the output electrodes. Improved power transmission is observed despite the reduced mechanical Q of the single crystal material, because the coupling and dielectric strength of the material are improved relative to polycrystals.

Abstract: A device for measuring and adjusting pre-loading on bearings, measuring and adjusting both the mounting and operating loads, wherein elements for applying a preloading and return elements are positioned to constitute a single actuator organ, comprising two ring elements for distributing the preloading, whereof at least one is destined to act against the outer race of a bearing and containing interposed between them a kinematic chain imparting thereon a thrust determined by the action of two or more piezoelectric or magnetostrictive element for applying the preloading and return elements; to the actuator organ being associated an annular loading cell connected in an external feedback control system for measuring and adjusting the preloading.

Abstract: An ignition system employing a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side and an output side. The ignition system further includes circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown and a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow.