Abstract: An example method for detecting stability of a medical implant is provided. The method includes (a) applying a force to the medical implant with a probe, (b) based on the applied force, determining a response signal associated with a vibration of the medical implant, (c) comparing the determined response signal with a computer model of the medical implant, and (d) based on the comparison, determining an angular stiffness coefficient of the medical implant, wherein the angular stiffness coefficient indicates a stability of the medical implant.

Abstract: An example method for detecting stability of a medical implant is provided. The method includes (a) applying a force to the medical implant with a probe, (b) based on the applied force, determining a response signal associated with a vibration of the medical implant, (c) comparing the determined response signal with a computer model of the medical implant, and (d) based on the comparison, determining an angular stiffness coefficient of the medical implant, wherein the angular stiffness coefficient indicates a stability of the medical implant.

Abstract: A structure is provided having a substrate and a direct write deposited lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor assembly deposited on the substrate. The PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor assembly has a PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor with a PZT nanoparticle ink deposited onto the substrate via an ink deposition direct write printing process. The PZT nanoparticle ink does not require a high temperature sintering/crystallization process once deposited. The PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor assembly further has a power and communication wire assembly coupled to the PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor. The power and communication wire assembly has a conductive ink deposited onto the substrate via the ink deposition direct write printing process.

Abstract: A structure is provided having a substrate and a direct write deposited lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor assembly deposited on the substrate. The PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor assembly has a PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor with a PZT nanoparticle ink deposited onto the substrate via an ink deposition direct write printing process. The PZT nanoparticle ink does not require a high temperature sintering/crystallization process once deposited. The PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor assembly further has a power and communication wire assembly coupled to the PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor. The power and communication wire assembly has a conductive ink deposited onto the substrate via the ink deposition direct write printing process.

Abstract: Methods for forming lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles are provided. The PZT nanoparticles are formed from a precursor solution, comprising a source of lead, a source of titanium, a source of zirconium, and a mineralizer, that undergoes a hydro thermal process. The size and morphology of the PZT nanoparticles are controlled, in part, by the heating schedule used during the hydro thermal process.

Abstract: Methods for forming lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles are provided. The PZT nanoparticles are formed from a precursor solution, comprising a source of lead, a source of titanium, a source of zirconium, and a mineralizer, that undergoes a hydrothermal process. The size and morphology of the PZT nanoparticles are controlled, in part, by the heating schedule used during the hydrothermal process.

Abstract: Methods for forming lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles are provided. The PZT nanoparticles are formed from a precursor solution, comprising a source of lead, a source of titanium, a source of zirconium, and a mineraliser, that undergoes a hydro thermal process. The size and morphology of the PZT nanoparticles are controlled, in part, by the heating schedule used during the hydro thermal process.

Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment a method of fabricating a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor. The method has a step of formulating a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticle ink. The method further has a step of depositing the PZT nanoparticle ink onto a substrate via an ink deposition process to form a PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment a method of fabricating a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor. The method has a step of formulating a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticle ink. The method further has a step of depositing the PZT nanoparticle ink onto a substrate via an ink deposition process to form a PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: Methods for forming lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles are provided. The PZT nanoparticles are formed from a precursor solution, comprising a source of lead, a source of titanium, a source of zirconium, and a mineraliser, that undergoes a hydrothermal process. The size and morphology of the PZT nanoparticles are controlled, in part, by the heating schedule used during the hydrothermal process.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for improving actuator performance by reducing tensile stresses in piezoelectric thin films. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric actuator includes a substrate, a first electrode positioned on the substrate, a piezoelectric thin film positioned on the first electrode, and a second electrode positioned on the piezoelectric thin film. The displacement capability of the actuator is enhanced by reducing the tensile stresses of the piezoelectric thin film. In some embodiments, a constant DC voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator generates compressive in-plane stresses, which counteract the tensile in-plane stresses. As a result, the overall tensile stresses in the actuator are reduced, and the actuator displacement is improved.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for analyzing the vibrational characteristics of rotating devices, such as hard disk drives and jet engines, that are coupled through bearings to flexible supports. In the method, the rotating device is discretized, for example, using a mesh suitable for finite element analysis. The support is also discretized. The natural frequency of elastic vibration modes for the rotating device is calculated and the natural frequency of vibration modes for the support is calculated. The mode shapes are then calculated and a set of modal basis corresponding to the mode shapes is utilized. Bearing stiffness and damping matrices are input, and the Lagrangian equations of motion are integrated numerically in the modal space, to calculate the vibrational response of the rotating device and support. The modal space results are then transformed into ordinary space. The vibrational analysis may be used to design devices having desired vibrational characteristics.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for analyzing the vibrational characteristics of rotating devices, such as hard disk drives and jet engines, that are coupled through bearings to flexible supports. In the method, the rotating device is discretized, for example, using a mesh suitable for finite element analysis. The support is also discretized. The natural frequency of elastic vibration modes for the rotating device is calculated and the natural frequency of vibration modes for the support is calculated. The mode shapes are then calculated and a set of modal basis corresponding to the mode shapes is utilized. Bearing stiffness and damping matrices are input, and the Lagrangian equations of motion are integrated numerically in the modal space, to calculate the vibrational response of the rotating device and support. The modal space results are then transformed into ordinary space. The vibrational analysis may be used to design devices having desired vibrational characteristics.