Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical-to-electrical power converter includes an energy storage component including a transducer material and a second material for mechanical energy storage, the second material attached to the transducer material. In some embodiments, the transducer material and the second material are both configured to store mechanical energy.

Abstract: Described are structures and techniques for providing high-efficiency, high-power-density piezoelectric resonators (PRs) for use in power converters. In some embodiments, a power converter can include a PR for energy transfer, where the PR substantially satisfies geometry conditions disclosed herein for achieving high-efficiency and high-power-density. The geometry conditions can be defined in terms of the converter's specified (e.g., rated) voltage and power level.

Abstract: Described are structures and techniques for providing high-efficiency. high-power-density piezoelectric resonators (PRs) for use in power converters. In some embodiments. a power converter can include a PR for energy transfer. where the PR substantially satisfies geometry conditions disclosed herein for achieving high-efficiency and high-power-density. The geometry conditions can be defined in terms of the converter's specified (e.g., rated) voltage and power level.

Abstract: A multi-sensor, real-time, in-process current and voltage estimation system is disclosed including sensors, affiliated hardware, and data processing algorithms that allow accurate estimation of currents and voltages from magnetic and electric field measurements, respectively. Aspects of the system may be embodied in a detector that is readily attachable to conductors of an energized system for contactless current and/or voltage sensing of the conductors without requiring the conductors to be disconnected from the energized system.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, a converter having a first port and a second port, the converter comprises: a piezoelectric transformer (PT) having a first port and a second port; one or more first switches configured to operate in accordance with a first switching sub-sequence to transfer energy from the first port of the converter to the first port of the PT, the first switching sub-sequence having at least six (6) stages; and one or more second switches configured to operate in accordance with a second switching sub-sequence to transfer energy from the second port of the PT to the second port of the converter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating an anastomosis or fistula between the gallbladder and an adjacent organ are disclosed. First, a parent magnet, typically a permanent magnet, is deployed in the stomach, small intestine, or another organ adjacent to the gallbladder, and a mating daughter material is deployed in the gallbladder in order to create a magnet-compression anastomosis. The gallbladder may then be ablated or otherwise functionally inactivated through the anastomosis. Another aspect of the invention relates to an all-in-one surgical kit that contains all the necessary specialized tools for a surgeon to perform the procedure.

Abstract: An active acoustic system includes a thin-film sheet having an array of piezoelectric microstructures embossed in the film. Each piezoelectric microstructure may act as a speaker and/or a microphone. A control circuit is configured to individually address the piezoelectric microstructures to provide a separate voltage signal to, or receive a separate voltage signal from, each piezoelectric microstructure.

Abstract: An active acoustic system includes a thin-film sheet having an array of piezoelectric microstructures embossed in the film. Each piezoelectric microstructure may act as a speaker and/or a microphone. A control circuit is configured to individually address the piezoelectric microstructures to provide a separate voltage signal to, or receive a separate voltage signal from, each piezoelectric microstructure.

Abstract: A multi-sensor, real-time, in-process current and voltage estimation system is disclosed including sensors, affiliated hardware, and data processing algorithms that allow accurate estimation of currents and voltages from magnetic and electric field measurements, respectively. Aspects of the system may be embodied in a detector that is readily attachable to conductors of an energized system for contactless current and/or voltage sensing of the conductors without requiring the conductors to be disconnected from the energized system.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensor and amplifier for use with an auditory aid device are disclosed. The piezoelectric sensor includes a top sensor and a bottom sensor disposed on opposite surfaces of a flex printed circuit board. The top and bottom sensors are made of a piezoelectric material, such as PVDF. Further, the piezoelectric sensor is adapted to be implanted into a subject's ear, where the piezoelectric sensor is cantilevered with the free, or distal end, touching the umbo. The proximal end is held in place by a support that is affixed to the ear. Additionally, the piezoelectric sensor is shaped so that the width of the distal end is less than the width at the proximal end. Further, the piezoelectric sensor generates differential signals, which are then amplified using a differential amplifier circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating an anastomosis or fistula between the gallbladder and an adjacent organ are disclosed. First, a parent magnet, typically a permanent magnet, is deployed in the stomach, small intestine, or another organ adjacent to the gallbladder, and a mating daughter material is deployed in the gallbladder in order to create a magnet-compression anastomosis. The gallbladder may then be ablated or otherwise functionally inactivated through the anastomosis. Another aspect of the invention relates to an all-in-one surgical kit that contains all the necessary specialized tools for a surgeon to perform the procedure.

Abstract: An active acoustic system includes a thin-film sheet having an array of piezoelectric microstructures embossed in the film. Each piezoelectric microstructure may act as a speaker and/or a microphone. A control circuit is configured to individually address the piezoelectric microstructures to provide a separate voltage signal to, or receive a separate voltage signal from, each piezoelectric microstructure.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide an electromechanical transducer including a mechanically compliant, elastically deformable array of dielectric shells. A first electrically conductive electrode is disposed on a first surface of the array. A second electrically conductive electrode is disposed on a second surface of the array, where the second surface opposes the first surface. The array is configured to be mechanically compliant and elastically deformable in response to one or more incident forces applied to the electromechanical transducer.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a headphone device, comprises at least one ear muff comprising a structure to hold the at least one ear muff against an ear of a user, and at least one driver disposed in the at least one ear muff. An earbud comprises an earbud housing having a protrusion to fit into an external acoustic meatus or ear canal of a user, and a driver disposed in the earbud housing. The driver comprises an electrostatic acoustic transducer comprising a substrate comprising a first material to function as a first electrode, a dielectric layer coupled with the first material, wherein the dielectric layer has one or more cavities formed therein, and a membrane coupled with the dielectric layer to cover the one or more cavities and to function as a second electrode.

Abstract: A method includes encapsulating structures disposed on or over a surface of a substrate in an encapsulant. The method also includes separating the encapsulant from the substrate. An apparatus includes a composite film having structures embedded in an encapsulant. The composite film has a surface with a surface roughness of less than one nm. An apparatus includes an encapsulant film having a surface with indentations formed therein. The surface has a surface roughness apart from the indentations of less than one nm.

Abstract: A multi-sensor, real-time, in-process current and voltage estimation system is disclosed including sensors, affiliated hardware, and data processing algorithms that allow accurate estimation of currents and voltages from magnetic and electric field measurements, respectively. Aspects of the system may be embodied in a detector that is readily attachable to conductors of an energized system for contactless current and/or voltage sensing of the conductors without requiring the conductors to be disconnected from the energized system.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a hearing aid comprises a housing and an audio processing system disposed in the housing, the audio processing system comprising at least one amplifier, an earbud formed as part of the housing or coupled to the housing to fit into an external acoustic meatus or ear canal of a user, one or more microphones coupled to an input of the amplifier, and one or more drivers coupled to an output of the amplifier to reproduce an amplified version of an input acoustic wave impinging on the one or more microphones. The audio processing system including a processor coupled between the microphone and the driver, wherein the processor is to provide one or more hearing correction functions. At least one of the one or more drivers or the one or more microphones, or a combination thereof, comprises an electrostatic acoustic transducer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating an anastomosis or fistula between the gallbladder and an adjacent organ are disclosed. First, a parent magnet, typically a permanent magnet, is deployed in the stomach, small intestine, or another organ adjacent to the gallbladder, and a mating daughter material is deployed in the gallbladder in order to create a magnet-compression anastomosis. The gallbladder may then be ablated or otherwise functionally inactivated through the anastomosis. Another aspect of the invention relates to an all-in-one surgical kit that contains all the necessary specialized tools for a surgeon to perform the procedure.

Abstract: Light-emitting devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may emit light when a tunneling current is generated within the device.

Abstract: Devices comprising at least two electrodes with a layer disposed therebetween are disclosed. In some embodiments, the layer disposed therebetween may be an insulator. In some embodiments, the layer may be capable of being deformed. Deforming the layer may cause a change in one or more materials properties of the device, such as the electrical properties and/or the optical properties of the device.