Abstract: Wet-mixing process, electrically-conductive fused deposition modeling material, 3D printable fused deposition modeling (FDM) filament, electrically-conductive ink, and associated methods. A wet mixing process includes dissolving a thermoplastic with a solvent, thereby creating a thermoplastic-based solution, suspending conductive carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in the thermoplastic-based solution, and mixing the thermoplastic-based solution to distribute the CNFs throughout the solution. The solvent may be evaporated from thermoplastic-based solution to form an electrically-conductive FDM material having a solid matrix of the thermoplastic with CNFs dispersed homogenously throughout the solid matrix. A 3D printable fused deposition modeling filament may be formed of the FDM material. An electrical circuit component may be additively manufactured with a 3D printer and the FDM material. An electrically-conductive ink may be formed from the thermoplastic-based solution.

Abstract: A multi-layer lens is disclosed which includes a plurality of dual-layer structures staked on top of one-another, wherein each dual-layer Ri of the plurality of dual-layers includes i) a first curable material having a height of ZLi cured at a predetermined curing level CA, and ii) a second curable material having a height of Zgi cured at a predetermined curing level CB.

Abstract: Capacitive sensors and methods and apparatuses for producing capacitive sensors. Such a method includes printing a dielectric layer to include a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) film so that the dielectric layer has oppositely-disposed first and second surfaces. First and second electrodes are provided on the first and second surfaces, respectively, of the dielectric layer. A corona poling apparatus for producing a capacitive sensor includes an anode having at least one electrically conductive ionizer needle, a cathode opposite and facing the anode with a distance therebetween, a sample location defined between the ionizer needle and the cathode wherein the sample location is configured to receive an object to be polarized, and a shield surrounding at least one of the anode, the ionizer needle, and the cathode. The shield focuses ions created during a corona discharge between the anode and the cathode toward the sample location.

Abstract: Piezoelectric devices and methods and apparatus for producing piezoelectric devices. Such a method includes printing a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) film having a first side and a second side to form a dielectric, printing a first electrode on the first side of the PVdF film, and printing a second electrode on the second side of the PVdF film. An apparatus for producing a piezoelectric device includes a corona poling apparatus having an anode with an electrically conductive ionizer needle, a cathode spaced apart from and facing the ionizer needle, and a shield surrounding the ionizer needle. The shield focuses ions created during corona discharge toward a location between the ionizer needle and the cathode.

Abstract: A multi-layer lens is disclosed which includes a plurality of dual-layer structures staked on top of one-another, wherein each dual-layer Ri of the plurality of dual-layers includes i) a first curable material having a height of ZLi cured at a predetermined curing level CA, and ii) a second curable material having a height of Zgi cured at a predetermined curing level CB.