Abstract: Methods for depositing films using crystals or powders as a source material are provided. The films can have a thickness of at least 100 nanometers and can be inorganic (e.g., inorganic perovskite) films, and the source material can be the same composition and/or stoichiometry as the deposited film. The deposition process can be a single-step thermal process using a close space sublimation (CSS) process.

Abstract: Solid-state radiation detectors utilizing a film as an alpha detection layer are provided. The detector can include a neutron conversion layer disposed thereon to enable neutron detection. The film can detect alpha particles from the ambient environment or emitted by the neutron conversion layer (if present) so the device can detect alpha particles and/or neutrons. The film can generate electron-hole pairs and can be disposed near a semiconductor material. The film can have a thickness of, for example, at least 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Thermal neutron detectors and methods of fabricating the same are provided. A thermal neutron detector can use boron in both the neutron conversion layer and as a source for conformal doping in a semiconductor substrate. The neutron detector can be a micro-structured diode with cavities having a depth of 60 microns or less. The boron can be filled in the cavities and diffused into the semiconductor substrate via a diffusion annealing process.

Abstract: Methods of producing lead-free piezoelectric composites are described. The method can include adding a lead-free piezoelectric additive to a solution that includes a solvent and polymer solubilized therein. The solvent can have i) a boiling point ?80° C. at 0.1 MPa and ii) a solubility in water of ?0.1 g/g and/or a dielectric constant ?20. The solvent can be removed to form a polymeric matrix having the lead-free piezoelectric particles dispersed therein. Electrical treatment of the polymeric matrix can form the piezoelectric component. Lead-free piezoelectric composites and devices that include the lead-free piezoelectric composites are also described.

Abstract: A lead-free lithium doped potassium sodium niobate piezoelectric ceramic material in powdered form and having a single crystalline phase and uses thereof are described. Methods of making the said piezoelectric ceramic material are also described.

Abstract: Lead-free piezoelectric composites and methods of making and uses thereof are described. The lead-free piezoelectric composites have high flexibility and high piezoelectric properties.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns filled a polymer composite comprising a piezoelectric filler and a polymer resin. The composite may exhibit a piezoelectric coefficient d33 of greater than 30 pC/N when measured according to the Berlincourt Method using a d33 piezometer and a density of less than 5 g/cc according to the Archimedes method.

Abstract: A lead-free lithium doped potassium sodium niobate piezoelectric ceramic material in powdered form and having a single crystalline phase and uses thereof are described. Methods of making the said piezoelectric ceramic material are also described.

Abstract: A lead-free lithium doped potassium sodium niobate piezoelectric ceramic material powdered form and having a single crystalline phase and uses thereof are described. Methods of making the said piezoelectric ceramic material are also described.

Abstract: A triboelectric-based sensor can be used to receive touch-based input from a user and control electronic devices. The triboelectric-based sensor can be constructed with a thin film layer underneath a triboelectric later. The thin film layer may include a high resistance portion and a low resistance portion. The low resistance portion can be used to couple the triboelectric layer to the high resistance portion. The high resistance portion can have a serpentine shape and have dimensions and a sheet resistance designed to function as a thin film resistor for the triboelectric-based sensor.

Abstract: Electromechanical actuators may be constructed as cylindrical elements with electrodes position around the cylindrical element. The electrodes may receive an electrical signal that causes a core material in the electromechanical actuator to change shape, thus providing haptic feedback to a user, such as when the actuators are integrated with a display screen of a smart phone. A position of the electrodes around the core material may affect a mode of operation of the electromechanical actuators. In one configuration, two electrodes may be located at opposite ends of the cylindrical element along a long axis of the cylinder. In another configuration, two electrodes may be located opposite each other along a circumference of the cylinder. Signals may be applied to the electrodes to generate vibrational feedback or textures on the display screen.

Abstract: Triboelectric-based sensors used to receive touch-based input from a user and control electronic devices are described. A triboelectric-based sensors may also incorporate a haptic feedback device, such as an actuator, co-located on the same substrate as the triboelectric-based sensor. The haptic feedback device and the triboelectric-based sensor may share an active polymer layer. The triboelectric-based sensors may include an active layer made from a perfluoronated copolymer, such as poly(methyl methacrylate)-co-poly(1H,1H-perfluoroctyl methacrylate) manufactured by free radical polymerization in benzene.

Abstract: A triboelectric-based sensor may be used to receive touch-based input from a user and control electronic devices. The triboelectric-based sensors may also provide sufficient power to operate circuitry coupled to the sensor that performs processing of the input and generation of wireless signals to transmit commands to control electronic devices wirelessly. The triboelectric-based sensors may include an active layer made from a perfluorinated copolymer, such as poly(methyl methacrylate)-co-poly(1H-1H-perfluoroctyl methacrylate) manufactured by free radical polymerization in benzene.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microelectronic device comprising providing a substrate comprising a first bottom surface, providing a mold comprising a first top surface with first projections, and punching the first projections through the first bottom surface to define anchors, pre-cantilevers, and cavities in the substrate. A piezoelectric cantilever actuator system array prepared by a process comprising the steps of providing a substrate comprising a first bottom surface, providing a mold comprising a first top surface with first projections, and punching the first projections through the first bottom surface to define anchors, pre-cantilevers, and cavities in the substrate. A microelectronic device comprising a base, a first anchor coupled to the base, and a first cantilever coupled to the first anchor, wherein the base, the first anchor, and the first cantilever are an integral structure formed from the same substrate material.

Abstract: User feedback may be generated and user input received through a single semiconductor component integrated into the electronic device. The single semiconductor component may include a piezoelectric cantilever actuator integrated with a transistor, such as a thin-film transistor, such that the actuator is electrically isolated from the transistor but mechanically attached to the transistor. One manner of integration is to extend a piezoelectric thin film of the actuator into a gate electrode stack of the transistor. The cantilever actuator may be controlled to provide haptic feedback. Separate from, and possibly simultaneously with the control of the cantilever actuator, user input may be received through the transistor integrated with the cantilever actuator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include nanowire field-effect transistors, systems for temperature history detection, methods for thermal history detection, a matrix of field effect transistors, and the like.

Abstract: User feedback may be generated and user input received through a single semiconductor component integrated into the electronic device. The single semiconductor component may include a piezoelectric cantilever actuator integrated with a transistor, such as a thin-film transistor, such that the actuator is electrically isolated from the transistor but mechanically attached to the transistor. One manner of integration is to extend a piezoelectric thin film of the actuator into a gate electrode stack of the transistor. The cantilever actuator may be controlled to provide haptic feedback. Separate from, and possibly simultaneously with the control of the cantilever actuator, user input may be received through the transistor integrated with the cantilever actuator.

Abstract: A lead-free lithium doped potassium sodium niobate piezoelectric ceramic material powdered form and having a single crystalline phase and uses thereof are described. Methods of making the said piezoelectric ceramic material are also described.

Abstract: Electromechanical actuators may be constructed as cylindrical elements with electrodes position around the cylindrical element. The electrodes may receive an electrical signal that causes a core material in the electromechanical actuator to change shape, thus providing haptic feedback to a user, such as when the actuators are integrated with a display screen of a smart phone. A position of the electrodes around the core material may affect a mode of operation of the electromechanical actuators. In one configuration, two electrodes may be located at opposite ends of the cylindrical element along a long axis of the cylinder. In another configuration, two electrodes may be located opposite each other along a circumference of the cylinder. Signals may be applied to the electrodes to generate vibrational feedback or textures on the display screen.

Abstract: In this invention use of silicone hard-coated polycarbonate (SHC-PC) as direct photo definable, thermally, chemically and optically stable polymer that can be patterned using conventional microfabrication and drying etching process is reported. As a result of the increased resistance to thermal and chemical deformations and flow of the silicone hard-coated polycarbonate (SHC-PC), it has been shown for the first time that the illustrated process herein to be compatible with a variety of conventional thin film deposition, micro and nano fabrication approaches such as metal evaporation, photoresist deposition/developing and electroplating that are typically incompatible to polycarbonate. As such high optical clarity surfaces with ultra-hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties with well-defined micro and nano patterned surface features of high surface roughness were fabricated with high fidelity.