Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a solid solution ceramic material having increased electromechanical strain, as well as ceramic materials obtainable therefrom and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a solid solution ceramic material of a plurality of perovskite compounds which exhibits an electric field induced strain derived from a reversible phase transition, as well as a method for making such ceramic materials and ceramic materials obtainable therefrom. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method of identifying a solid solution ceramic material of at least three perovskite compounds which exhibits an electric field induced strain derived from a reversible phase transition; said method comprising the steps of: i) determining a molar ratio of at least one tetragonal perovskite compound to at least one non-tetragonal perovskite compound which, when combined to form a solid solution, provides a ceramic material comprising a major portion of a tetragonal phase having an axial ratio c/a of greater than 1.005 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bismuth-based solid solution ceramic material, as well as a process for preparing the ceramic material and uses thereof, particularly in an actuator component employed, for example, in a droplet deposition apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a ceramic material having a general chemical formula (I): (I): x(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-z1SrHfO3-z2SrZrO3, wherein x+y+Z1+Z2=1; y, (z1+z2)?0; x?0. In embodiments, the present invention also relates to a ceramic material having a general chemical formula (II): x(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-ZiSrHfO3-z2SrZrO3, wherein x+y+z?i+z2=1; x, y, fa+z2)?0; as well as a ceramic material of general formula (III): y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-z1SrHfO3-z2SrZrO3, wherein y+z1,+z2=1; y, (z1+z2)?0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a solid solution ceramic material of a plurality of perovskite compounds which exhibits an electric field induced strain derived from a reversible phase transition, as well as a method for making such ceramic materials and ceramic materials obtainable therefrom. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method of identifying a solid solution ceramic material of at least three perovskite compounds which exhibits an electric field induced strain derived from a reversible phase transition; said method comprising the steps of: i) determining a molar ratio of at least one tetragonal perovskite compound to at least one non-tetragonal perovskite compound which, when combined to form a solid solution, provides a ceramic material comprising a major portion of a tetragonal phase having an axial ratio c/a of greater than 1.005 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bismuth-based solid solution ceramic material, as well as a process for preparing the ceramic material and uses thereof, particularly in an actuator component employed, for example, in a droplet deposition apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a ceramic material having a general chemical formula (I): (I): x(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-z1SrHfO3-z2SrZrO3, wherein x+y+Z1+Z2=1; y, (z1+z2)?0; x?0. In embodiments, the present invention also relates to a ceramic material having a general chemical formula (II): x(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-ZiSrHfO3-z2SrZrO3, wherein x+y +z-i+z2=1; x, y, fa+z2)?0; as well as a ceramic material of general formula (III): y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-z1SrHfO3-z2SrZrO3, wherein y+z1,+z2=1; y, (z1+z2)?0.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to electrocaloric devices, methods of making electrocaloric integrated circuits, and methods of thermally cycling integrated circuits. The electrocaloric device can include an electrocaloric material having a solid solution of two or more components of BNT, BKT, BZT, BMgT, or BNiT. The electrocaloric material can have an ergodic transition temperature within a range of 50 C to 300 C. The device can also include electrodes associated with the electrocaloric material, as well as an electrical source to add or reduce electrical field between the electrodes across the electrocaloric material to generate heating or cooling relative to the ergodic transition temperature of the electrocaloric material.

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic material has the general chemical formula xBiCoO3-y(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-z(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3, xBiCoO3-y(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-zNaN-bO3, xBiCoO3-y(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-zKNbO3, xBiCoO3-yBi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3-z(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3, xBiCoO3-yBa-TiO3-z(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3, or xBiCoO3-yNaNbO3-zKNbO3; wherein x+y+z=1, and x, y, z?0.

Abstract: A robot controllable by a portable device, the robot including: a support; a balancing module configured to balance the robot; and a base mounted to the support, the base including a first wheel coaxially aligned with a second wheel and a motor drivably coupled to the first and second wheel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to electrocaloric devices, methods of making electrocaloric integrated circuits, and methods of thermally cycling integrated circuits. The electrocaloric device can include an electrocaloric material having a solid solution of two or more components of BNT, BKT, BZT, BMgT, or BNiT. The electrocaloric material can have an ergodic transition temperature within a range of 50 C to 300 C. The device can also include electrodes associated with the electrocaloric material, as well as an electrical source to add or reduce electrical field between the electrodes across the electrocaloric material to generate heating or cooling relative to the ergodic transition temperature of the electrocaloric material.

Abstract: A robot controllable by a portable device, the robot including a head configured to removably retain the portable device, a support removably mounted to the head, and a base mounted to the support, the base including a first wheel coaxially aligned with a second wheel and a balancing mechanism configured to maintain the head within a predetermined range of angular positions relative to a gravity vector based on instructions received from the portable device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to an oxygen conducting bismuth perovskite material, a method of conducting oxygen through the material, and a method of making the material. The oxygen conducting bismuth perovskite material can include two components selected from the group consisting of NBT, KBT, BZT, BMT, and BNiT. The material can also have a sufficient degree of non-stoichiometry to provide oxygen vacancies to conduct oxide ions.

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic material has the general chemical formula xBiCoO3-y(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-z(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3, xBiCoO3-y(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-zNaN-bO3, xBiCoO3-y(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-zKNbO3, xBiCoO3-yBi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3-z(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3, xBiCoO3-yBa-TiO3-z(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3, or xBiCoO3-yNaNbO3-zKNbO3; wherein x+y+z=1, and x, y, z?0.

Abstract: A robot controllable by a portable device, the robot including a head configured to removably retain the portable device, a support removably mounted to the head, and a base mounted to the support, the base including a first wheel coaxially aligned with a second wheel and a balancing mechanism configured to maintain the head within a predetermined range of angular positions relative to a gravity vector based on instructions received from the portable device.

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic material has the general chemical formula xBi(A0.5Ti0.5)O3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-z(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3, wherein x+y+z=1, x?0, and A=Ni or Mg.

Abstract: An installation includes one or more card cages, which hold antenna array cards for capturing over the air content. The one or more card cages are installed at a cage site, such as a shelter located on the roof of a structure or a floor within the structure. The card cages are powered by a power supply, which is housed within a power supply site. The power supply site is typically a shelter on the roof of the structure or the floor within the structure.

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic material has the general chemical formula xBi(Zn0.5Ti0.5)O3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-z(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3, wherein x+y+z=1 and x, y, z?0.

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic material has the general chemical formula xBi(A0.5Ti0.5)O3-y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-z(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3, wherein x+y+z=1, x?0, and A=Ni or Mg.

Abstract: A network security device which acts as an “airlock” for traffic between a communications device and a network. Data is screened using rules based analysis by the security device to counter various threats, including viruses, phishing, attempts to “hijack” communications, communications with known malicious addresses or unknown addresses, and transmission of sensitive information. Data packets can be reassembled into files for screening, and decoded or expanded as necessary, but is never executed. The data path for the data being screened is kept separate from the operations of the network security device itself, so that the device is incorruptible—its programming cannot be compromised from outside sources. Updates for rules and entry of sensitive data for screening, etc., must be done through a physical interface, not via the normal data communications channel. The device is invisible—it cannot be “seen” by the network, and thus cannot be attacked.

Abstract: A network security device which acts as an “airlock” for traffic between a communications device and a network. Data is screened using rules based analysis by the security device to counter various threats, including viruses, phishing, attempts to “hijack” communications, communications with known malicious addresses or unknown addresses, and transmission of sensitive information. Data packets can be reassembled into files for screening, and decoded or expanded as necessary, but is never executed. The data path for the data being screened is kept separate from the operations of the network security device itself, so that the device is incorruptible—its programming cannot be compromised from outside sources. Updates for rules and entry of sensitive data for screening, etc., must be done through a physical interface, not via the normal data communications channel. The device is invisible—it cannot be “seen” by the network, and thus cannot be attacked.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush comprising: i) an elongated handle having distal and proximal ends and one or more elastomeric handle regions therein; and ii) a resiliently flexible head attached to the proximal end of the handle, the head including a pair of opposing faces, one of the pair being a bristle-bearing face with bristles attached to and extending from the face, wherein at least one of the pair has one or more elastomer-containing, transverse grooves therein; and iii) one or more elastomer supply channels extending between the elastomeric handle regions and the transverse grooves. Whereby at least one of the elastomeric handle regions and the traverse grooves can be filled with elastomer from a single injection point. The elastomeric regions in the head can be used to make the head flexible and the whole brush can conveniently be made on conventional machines.