Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bridge abnormality sensing device including: a pair of vibration sensors installed in an upper structure of a railroad bridge supported with a plurality of bearings, the pair of vibration sensors being provided for two of the bearings arranged in a width direction; a detector circuit configured to output a damage detection signal based on a difference between output signals of the pair of vibration sensors; and an output circuit configured to receive the damage detection signal and notify an external device of any structural damage detected from the railroad bridge. The vibration sensors are vibration power generators that generate power in a frequency range of abnormal vibration resulting from the damage. Power to drive the detector circuit is supplied from the vibration power generators.

Abstract: A vibration power generation device including a multiple-degree-of-freedom vibration system comprising a first vibration system and a second vibration system, wherein a natural frequency of the first vibration system is different from a natural frequency of the second vibration system. A first mass member of the first vibration system has a hollow structure including a housing space inside, where the second vibration system is housed. A power generating element is mounted on a plate spring of the second vibration system. A support part projects within the housing space, and one end side of the plate spring is attached to the support part and supported within the housing space at a position inward from a peripheral wall of the first mass member. A second mass member of the second vibration system is attached to another end side of the plate spring.

Abstract: A power generator including: a first vibration system in which a first mass member is elastically supported by a first spring member; and a second vibration system in which a second mass member is elastically supported by a second spring member, the first and second vibration systems providing a multiple-degree-of-freedom vibration system. A power generating element disposed between the first and second mass members is configured to convert vibration energy input to the first vibration system and the second vibration system from a vibrating member to electrical energy. A resonance frequency of the first vibration system is a frequency lower than 1/?2 times a frequency of a vibration input to the first vibration system from the vibrating member. A loss factor of the first spring member of the first vibration system is at least 0.01 but not greater than 0.2.

Abstract: A power generator including: a vibration system configured to be attached to a vibrating member; and a power generating element attached to the vibration system. The vibration system is a multiple-degree-of-freedom vibration system that includes a first vibration system having a first mass member elastically supported by a first spring member, and a second vibration system having a second mass member elastically connected to the first mass member by a second spring member. The power generating element is arranged between the first and second mass members, and vibration applied from the vibrating member causes relative displacement of the first and second mass members so that vibration energy of the vibrating member is input to the power generating element. A natural frequency of the first vibration system is different from that of the second vibration system.

Abstract: A vibration power generator includes a vibration system attached to a vibrating member. The vibration system includes a first vibration subsystem, and a second vibration subsystem attached to the first vibration subsystem. The first vibration subsystem includes an elastic member attached to the vibrating member, and a first mass member attached to the elastic member. The second vibration subsystem includes a plate spring integral with a piezoelectric element, and a second mass member attached to the plate spring. The first vibration subsystem has a resonant frequency that is substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the second vibration subsystem.

Abstract: A power-generating device includes a vibration plate, a lower electrode on the vibration plate, a piezoelectric layer made of piezoelectric material on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric layer, a fixing member for supporting a fixed end of the vibration plate. The vibration plate applies compressive stress to the piezoelectric layer when the vibration plate does not vibrate. The power generating device is excellent in long-term reliability.

Abstract: A plasmon sensor includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer having an upper surface facing a lower surface of the first metal layer. The upper surface of the first metal layer is configured to receive an electromagnetic wave. A hollow space is provided between the first and second metal layers, and is configured to be filled with a test sample containing a medium. This plasmon sensor has a small size and a simple structure.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator including a base part, a first support part fixed to the base part, a beam part fixed to the first support part, a weight part fixed to the beam part, a drive unit provided on the beam part, and an adjusting magnet movable on a main surface of the base part. Furthermore, the weight part is formed of a magnet or a magnetic body, and the beam part extends in a direction along the main surface of the base part. With this configuration, displacement of the resonance frequency generated due to variation in a manufacturing process can be adjusted easily. Even when the resonance frequency is displaced from desired resonance frequency due to variation in the manufacturing process of a power generating element, the displacement can be easily adjusted and maximum efficiency can be obtained.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a metal substrate, an alumina layer, a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode. The metal substrate includes iron as a main component and includes at least aluminum and chromium. The alumina layer is formed on the metal substrate, and the lower electrode is formed on the alumina layer. The piezoelectric layer is formed on the lower electrode, and the upper electrode is formed on the piezoelectric layer. The alumina layer is mainly formed of particles in a ?-alumina phase.

Abstract: A vibration power generation device including a multiple-degree-of-freedom vibration system comprising a first vibration system and a second vibration system, wherein a natural frequency of the first vibration system is different from a natural frequency of the second vibration system. A first mass member of the first vibration system has a hollow structure including a housing space inside, where the second vibration system is housed. A power generating element is mounted on a plate spring of the second vibration system. A support part projects within the housing space, and one end side of the plate spring is attached to the support part and supported within the housing space at a position inward from a peripheral wall of the first mass member. A second mass member of the second vibration system is attached to another end side of the plate spring.

Abstract: A vibration power generator includes a vibration system attached to a vibrating member. The vibration system includes a first vibration subsystem, and a second vibration subsystem attached to the first vibration subsystem. The first vibration subsystem includes an elastic member attached to the vibrating member, and a first mass member attached to the elastic member. The second vibration subsystem includes a plate spring integral with a piezoelectric element, and a second mass member attached to the plate spring. The first vibration subsystem has a resonant frequency that is substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the second vibration subsystem.

Abstract: A power-generating device includes a vibration plate, a lower electrode on the vibration plate, a piezoelectric layer made of piezoelectric material on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric layer, a fixing member for supporting a fixed end of the vibration plate. The vibration plate applies compressive stress to the piezoelectric layer when the vibration plate does not vibrate. The power generating device is excellent in long-term reliability.

Abstract: A power generator including: a vibration system configured to be attached to a vibrating member; and a power generating element attached to the vibration system. The vibration system is a multiple-degree-of-freedom vibration system that includes a first vibration system having a first mass member elastically supported by a first spring member, and a second vibration system having a second mass member elastically connected to the first mass member by a second spring member. The power generating element is arranged between the first and second mass members, and vibration applied from the vibrating member causes relative displacement of the first and second mass members so that vibration energy of the vibrating member is input to the power generating element. A natural frequency of the first vibration system is different from that of the second vibration system.

Abstract: A plasmon sensor includes a supporter, a first metal layer on a lower surface of the first supporter, and a second metal layer having an upper surface facing a lower surface of the first metal layer. A hollow space is provided between the first and second metal layers, and is configured to be filled with a test sample containing a medium. The area of the first metal layer is smaller than the area of the upper surface of the supporter. The supporter has a region having hydrophilic property and facing and contacting the hollow space. This the plasmon sensor has a small size and a simple structure.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator including a base part, a first support part fixed to the base part, a beam part fixed to the first support part, a weight part fixed to the beam part, a drive unit provided on the beam part, and an adjusting magnet movable on a main surface of the base part. Furthermore, the weight part is formed of a magnet or a magnetic body, and the beam part extends in a direction along the main surface of the base part. With this configuration, displacement of the resonance frequency generated due to variation in a manufacturing process can be adjusted easily. Even when the resonance frequency is displaced from desired resonance frequency due to variation in the manufacturing process of a power generating element, the displacement can be easily adjusted and maximum efficiency can be obtained.

Abstract: A capacitor includes an electrode and a dielectric layer over the electrode. The dielectric layer includes plural metal oxide particles which are spread, and have an aperture constituted by a space provided between the metal oxide particles. The capacitor further includes an insulating portion on a portion of the electrode facing an opening of the aperture of the dielectric layer. The insulating portion covers the opening of the aperture. This capacitor prevents short-circuiting between the electrodes, thus being highly reliable.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a metal substrate, an alumina layer, a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode. The metal substrate includes iron as a main component and includes at least aluminum and chromium. The alumina layer is formed on the metal substrate, and the lower electrode is formed on the alumina layer. The piezoelectric layer is formed on the lower electrode, and the upper electrode is formed on the piezoelectric layer. The alumina layer is mainly formed of particles in a ?-alumina phase.

Abstract: A plasmon sensor includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer having an upper surface facing a lower surface of the first metal layer. The upper surface of the first metal layer is configured to receive an electromagnetic wave. A hollow space is provided between the first and second metal layers, and is configured to be filled with a test sample containing a medium. This plasmon sensor has a small size and a simple structure.

Abstract: A capacitor includes an electrode and a dielectric layer over the electrode. The dielectric layer includes plural metal oxide particles which are spread, and have an aperture constituted by a space provided between the metal oxide particles. The capacitor further includes an insulating portion on a portion of the electrode facing an opening of the aperture of the dielectric layer. The insulating portion covers the opening of the aperture. This capacitor prevents short-circuiting between the electrodes, thus being highly reliable.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a substrate made of an organic film, a first conductive layer provided on an upper surface of the substrate, a first dielectric layer provided on an upper surface of the first conductive layer, a second dielectric layer provided on an upper surface of the first dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer provided on an upper surface of the second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is made of plural metal oxide chips spread over on the upper surface of the first conductive layer. The second dielectric layer is made of plural metal oxide chips spread over on a lower surface of the second conductive layer. This capacitor can have a large capacitance.