Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a compliant stopper connected to the package, where the stopper is configured to stabilize motion of the cantilever to prevent breakage. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an energy harvester device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a stopper connected to the mass and/or the second end of the resonator beam, where the stopper is configured to prevent contact between the second end of the resonator beam and the package. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an anergy harvester device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising a plurality of elongate resonator beams. The resonator beams include a piezoelectric material extending between first and second ends. One or more bases are connected to the first end of each of the resonator beams, with the second end of the resonator beams being freely extending from the one or more bases as a cantilever. A mass is attached to each of the second ends of the resonator beams. Each of the resonator beams is tuned to a resonant frequency offset relative to each of the other resonator beams by 0.1/W to 0.9/W, wherein W is a temporal width between a first impulse and a second impulse which excite motion of the resonator beams. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of using and designing the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system comprising an energy harvester device and a signal processing device coupled to the energy harvester device. The energy harvester device includes an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the elongate resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever. A mass attached to the second end of the elongate resonator beam. The signal processing device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory including obtaining a signal from the energy harvesting device. The obtained signal is tracked over a period of time. An environmental impact on the energy harvester device is determined based on the tracked signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising a plurality of elongate resonator beams. The resonator beams include a piezoelectric material extending between first and second ends. One or more bases are connected to the first end of each of the resonator beams, with the second end of the resonator beams being freely extending from the one or more bases as a cantilever. A mass is attached to each of the second ends of the resonator beams. Each of the resonator beams is tuned to a resonant frequency offset relative to each of the other resonator beams by 0.1/W to 0.9/W, wherein W is a temporal width between a first impulse and a second impulse which excite motion of the resonator beams. Also disclosed is a system comprising an apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of using and designing the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a compliant stopper connected to the package, where the stopper is configured to stabilize motion of the cantilever to prevent breakage. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an energy harvester device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material, the resonator beam extending between first and second ends; a base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever; a mass attached to the second end of the resonator beam; a package surrounding at least a portion of the second end of the resonator beam; and a stopper connected to the mass and/or the second end of the resonator beam, where the stopper is configured to prevent contact between the second end of the resonator beam and the package. Also disclosed is a system, a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus, and methods of producing an anergy harvester device.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting device and method of forming same are provided. The fluid ejecting device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The nozzle plate has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall with the first wall and the second wall being positioned at an angle relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. A source of fluid impedance comprises a physical structure located between the nozzle and the fluid delivery channel.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device, a method of cleaning the device, and a method of operating the device are provided. The device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate and has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned at an angle other than 90° relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting device and method of forming same are provided. The fluid ejecting device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The nozzle plate has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall with the first wall and the second wall being positioned at an angle relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. A source of fluid impedance comprises a physical structure located between the nozzle and the fluid delivery channel.

Abstract: A method of etching a substrate and an article(s) formed using the method are provided. The method includes providing a substrate; coating a region of the substrate with a temporary material having properties that enable the temporary material to remain substantially intact during subsequent processing and enable the temporary material to be removed by a subsequent process that allows the substrate to remain substantially unaltered; removing a portion of the substrate to form a feature, at least some of the removed portion of the substrate overlapping at least a portion of the coated region of the substrate while allowing the temporary material substantially intact; and removing the temporary material while allowing the substrate to remain substantially unaltered.

Abstract: A liquid drop emitter, a method of mixing a liquid, and a method of printing are provided. The liquid emitter includes a structure defining a chamber adapted to provide a liquid having an orifice through which a drop of the liquid can be emitted. A drop forming mechanism is operatively associated with the chamber. A mixing mechanism is associated with the chamber and is operable to create a surface tension gradient on the liquid provided by the chamber such that the liquid flows without being emitted from the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling temperature profiles in ejection mechanisms is provided. A heater includes a first resistor segment having an electrical resistivity, a second resistor segment; and a coupling segment positioned between the first resistor segment and the second resistor segment. The coupling segment has an electrical resistivity, wherein the ratio of the resistivity of the coupling segment to the resistivity of the first resistor segment is substantially zero. Alternatively, the first resistor segment has an electrical conductivity and the coupling segment has an electrical conductivity, wherein the electrical conductivity of the coupling segment is greater than the electrical conductivity of the first resistor segment.

Abstract: A storage phosphor imaging system comprising: a source for producing stimulating radiation directed to a storage phosphor storing a latent image; a resonant microcavity converter for converting emitted radiation from the storage phosphor to radiation at a longer wavelength than the emitted radiation but with an angular intensity distribution that is substantially narrower than a Lambertian distribution; and a detector for detecting the longer wavelength radiation.

Abstract: A snap-through thermal actuator for a micro-electromechanical device such as a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve is disclosed. The snap-through actuator is comprised of a base element formed with a depression having opposing anchor edges which define a central plane. A deformable element, attached to the base element at the opposing anchor edges, is constructed as a planar lamination including a first layer of a first material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a second layer of a second material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The deformable element is formed to have a residual shape bowing outward from the central plane in a first direction away from the second layer. The snap-through thermal actuator further comprises apparatus adapted to apply a heat pulse to the deformable element which causes a sudden rise in the temperature of the deformable element.

Abstract: A snap-through thermal actuator for a micro-electromechanical device such as a liquid drop emitter or a fluid control microvalve is disclosed. The snap-through actuator is comprised of a base element formed with a depression having opposing anchor edges which define a central plane. A deformable element, attached to the base element at the opposing anchor edges, is constructed as a planar lamination including a first layer of a first material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a second layer of a second material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The deformable element is formed to have a residual shape bowing outward from the central plane in a first direction away from the second layer. The snap-through thermal actuator further comprises apparatus adapted to apply a heat pulse to the deformable element which causes a sudden rise in the temperature of the deformable element.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of operating a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter such as an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator comprises a base element and a cantilevered element including a thermo-mechanical bender portion extending from the base element to a free end tip. The thermo-mechanical bender portion includes a barrier layer constructed of a dielectric material having low thermal conductivity, a first deflector layer constructed of a first electrically resistive material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second deflector layer constructed of a second electrically resistive material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the barrier layer is bonded between the first and second deflector layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of operating a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter such as an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator comprises a base element and a cantilevered element including a thermo-mechanical bender portion extending from the base element to a free end tip. The thermo-mechanical bender portion includes a barrier layer constructed of a dielectric material having low thermal conductivity, a first deflector layer constructed of a first electrically resistive material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second deflector layer constructed of a second electrically resistive material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion wherein the barrier layer is bonded between the first and second deflector layers.

Abstract: A method for erasing noise and a residual image in a storage phosphor, comprising: reading out an exposed storage phosphor which is transported in a first direction by scanning the storage phosphor in a line scan direction perpendicular to the first direction, with a reciprocating stimulating beam of light which causes the storage phosphor to emit light in a first frequency range, the beam of light being suppressed during retrace; erasing the storage phosphor after the reading out with light of a second frequency range and additionally with light of the first frequency range during retrace when the stimulating light beam is supressed.