Abstract: A method of forming a vinylidene fluoride (VDF) oligomer or co-oligomer film on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises forming a VDF oligomer or co-oligomer precursor solution; depositing the VDF oligomer or co-oligomer precursor solution onto the substrate to form a preliminary VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film on the substrate; and applying uniaxial pressure on the preliminary VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film and the substrate at an elevated temperature to form the VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film on the substrate. The substrate may comprise a metal surface which may be used as a bottom electrode and a top electrode may be deposited on the VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film. The VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film, the bottom electrode on the substrate and the top electrode on the VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film form an electrical device.

Abstract: A method of forming a vinylidene fluoride (VDF) oligomer or co-oligomer film on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises forming a VDF oligomer or co-oligomer precursor solution; depositing the VDF oligomer or co-oligomer precursor solution onto the substrate to form a preliminary VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film on the substrate; and applying uniaxial pressure on the preliminary VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film and the substrate at an elevated temperature to form the VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film on the substrate. The substrate may comprise a metal surface which may be used as a bottom electrode and a top electrode may be deposited on the VDF oligomer or co- oligomer film The VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film, the bottom electrode on the substrate and the top electrode on the VDF oligomer or co-oligomer film form an electrical device.

Abstract: A method and system for fall-onset detection is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring acceleration at the thigh of a person; monitoring acceleration at the waist of the person; monitoring orientation of the thigh of the person; and detecting the fall-onset if the orientation of the thigh exceeds a first threshold value and a correlation between variation in acceleration of the thigh and variation in acceleration of the waist exceeds a second threshold value and a correlation between variation in the orientation of the thigh and a fall-template variation exceeds a third threshold value.

Abstract: A method and system for fall-onset detection is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring acceleration at the thigh of a person; monitoring acceleration at the waist of the person; monitoring orientation of the thigh of the person; and detecting the fall-onset if the orientation of the thigh exceeds a first threshold value and a correlation between variation in acceleration of the thigh and variation in acceleration of the waist exceeds a second threshold value and a correlation between variation in the orientation of the thigh and a fall-template variation exceeds a third threshold value.

Abstract: A method of producing a piezoelectric ceramic thick film on a substrate, said method comprising: providing a piezoelectric ceramic material in powder form; forming a liquid mixture by mixing the powdered material with a liquid phase precursor of a metal oxide of low-melting point, said precursor being adapted to decompose, upon subsequent annealing, into the metal oxide; drying the liquid mixture to form a precipitate; milling the precipitate to form a powdered precipitate; adding an organic carrier to the powdered precipitate; further milling the precipitate to form a paste; depositing a layer of the paste, as a wet film, onto the substrate; and annealing the layered substrate at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause transformation of the paste into the thick film.

Abstract: A device for sample tissue disruption and/or cell lysis comprising: a piezoelectric material; and at least a second material in contact with the piezoelectric material; and wherein the second material has an uneven surface on an opposite side to that in contact with the piezoelectric material. The device may be made by assembling at least three layers and membranes for the valves and pumps. The piezoelectric material is actuated by an external voltage source to generate cavitation, which disrupts tissue and/or lyses cells, in particular by a modulated alternative external voltage. The invention further provides a method of disrupting tissue and/or lysing cells in a device. Also provided is a piezoelectric device comprising a piezoelectric material in contact with a second material, and wherein the second material has an uneven surface on an opposite side to that in contact with the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensing device comprising, a base member, a diaphragm member deflectable under an external pressure, a cantilever member disposed between the base member and the diaphragm member and supported on a support structure, wherein the base member and the cantilever member form a capacitor structure of the device and wherein deflection of the diaphragm member beyond a threshold value causes the cantilever member to deflect to cause a capacitive change in the capacitor structure.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensing device comprising, a base member, a diaphragm member deflectable under an external pressure, a cantilever member disposed between the base member and the diaphragm member and supported on a support structure, wherein the base member and the cantilever member form a capacitor structure of the device and wherein deflection of the diaphragm member beyond a threshold value causes the cantilever member to deflect to cause a capacitive change in the capacitor structure.

Abstract: A method of producing a piezoelectric ceramic thick film on a substrate, said method comprising: