Abstract: A composite coating material for passive vibration damping is provided. The composite coating material includes a polymer matrix, and a piezoelectric ceramic filler and an electrically conductive filler dispersed in the polymer matrix. Particles of the piezoelectric ceramic filler have an average particle size of greater than about 100 microns (?m).

Abstract: A light-acoustic system and method for detecting an anomaly in a structure are provided. The system includes a light source configured to emit an excitation light and at least one excitation element attached to a surface of a structure. The at least one excitation element includes a photostrictive material and is configured to receive the excitation light for generating an oscillating strain. The oscillating strain generates an acoustic wave in the structure. The system also includes a detector configured to detect the acoustic wave.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general terms, to piezoelectric thin films with an empirical formula (K1xNax)yNbO3, wherein 0?x?1 and 0.64?y?0.95. In particular, the piezoelectric thin film comprises at least two adjacent NbO2 planes in an antiphase boundary, the at least two adjacent NbO2 planes displaced from each other by about half a lattice length in either the (100), (010) or (100) crystallographic plane. The present invention also relates to methods of fabricating the piezoelectric thin films.

Abstract: A multi-layered piezoelectric ceramic-containing structure There is provided a multi-layered piezoelectric ceramic-containing structure comprising: a metal substrate; a metallic adhesive layer on a surface of the metal substrate; a non-metallic thermal barrier layer on the metallic adhesive layer; and a piezoelectric ceramic layer sandwiched between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer is on the non-metallic thermal barrier layer. There is also provided a method of forming the structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments may provide an electromechanical responsive film. The electromechanical responsive film may include a composition including sodium (Na), potassium (K), niobium (Nb) and oxygen (O). The composition may have a formula (NaxKy)NbO3-?, wherein 0?x<1, wherein 0?y<1, and wherein 0<x+y<1. The composition may satisfy at least one condition selected from a group consisting of a first condition of (x+y+4)/2?(3??)?(x+y+5)/2 and a second condition of 0<?<1.

Abstract: A porous composite material (50) for sound absorption and a method (10) of producing the porous composite material (50) are provided. The method (10) includes preparing (12) a mixture of mechano-electrical conversion elements (56) and electro-thermal conversion elements (58) in an organic solvent. The mixture of the mechano-electrical conversion elements (56) and the electro-thermal conversion elements (58) in the organic solvent is mixed (14) with an aqueous solvent to precipitate a piezoelectric hybrid filler material (54). The piezoelectric hybrid filler material (54) is mixed (16) with a precursor. A foaming operation is performed (18) with the precursor to produce the porous composite material (50).

Abstract: A noise management system for a window includes an active noise control (ANC) module and a passive sound absorbing module. The ANC module is disposed in or adjacent a ventilation channel of the window and configured to substantially cancel low-frequency noise entering the ventilation channel. The passive sound absorbing module is disposed in or adjacent to the ventilation channel and configured to absorb both high-frequency noise entering the channel and harmonic sounds generated by the ANC module.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring method includes directly forming an acoustic transducer on a surface of a structure to be monitored; generating, by the acoustic transducer, an acoustic wave to apply stress loading to a region of interest on the structure; and detecting a presence of a defect in the region of interest. Detecting includes a non-contact optical imaging of the region of interest with and without the stress loading and an analysis of imaging data from the non-contact optical imaging.

Abstract: A vibration control system includes a plurality of spatially distributed transducer elements, a switching circuit, one or more vibration control circuits, and a controller circuit. The switching circuit is connected to each of the transducer elements. The one or more vibration control circuits are configured to perform vibration control, each of the one or more vibration control circuits being connected to the switching circuit. The controller circuit is configured to control the one or more vibration control circuits and the switching circuit. The switching circuit is configured to interconnect selected ones of the transducer elements based on a switching signal provided by the controller circuit, the switching signal being in response to a vibration condition, to adaptively form a group of interconnected transducer elements.

Abstract: A transducer for monitoring integrity of an adhesive bond between a first element and a second element, the transducer comprising: a transducing adhesive, the transducing adhesive provided to act as at least one of: an actuator to convert an electrical signal to an acoustic signal and a sensor to convert an acoustic signal to an electrical signal; and an electrode provided on the transducing adhesive, the electrode provided to perform at least one of: providing an electrical signal to the transducing adhesive and receiving an electrical signal from the transducing adhesive; wherein, in use, the transducer is provided at least partially in the adhesive bond between the first element and the second element, and the acoustic signal is passed through the adhesive bond.

Abstract: A fluid jet dispenser using at least two multilayer piezoelectric actuators is provided. The fluid jet dispenser includes a dispensing head and an electrical driver. The dispensing head includes at least two d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators, a displacement magnifying element mechanically coupled to the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators, a piston, and a nozzle. More preferably, the two d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators operate in an anti-phase condition. The electrical driver is electrically coupled to the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators for displacing the actuators in directions substantially perpendicular to polarization of piezoelectric layers in the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators in response to charging and discharging of the actuators by the electrical driver, to generate a fast movement of the piston to jet a pressurized fluid out of the nozzle of the dispensing head.

Abstract: A noise management system for a window includes an active noise control (ANC) module and a passive sound absorbing module. The ANC module is disposed in or adjacent a ventilation channel of the window and configured to substantially cancel low-frequency noise entering the ventilation channel. The passive sound absorbing module is disposed in or adjacent to the ventilation channel and configured to absorb both high-frequency noise entering the channel and harmonic sounds generated by the ANC module.

Abstract: Wireless piezoelectric accelerometers and systems are provided. A wireless piezoelectric accelerometer may comprise a piezoelectric sensing element configured to sense mechanical acceleration and produce an electrical charge signal in response of the sensed mechanical acceleration, a signal processing module (SPM) configured to convert the electrical charge signal into a voltage signal, and process and digitize the voltage signal, and a wireless module configured to modulate and transmit the digitized voltage signal as wireless signals. The piezoelectric sensing element, the SPM and the wireless module are packaged in a casing. The casing comprises a metallic shielding chamber configured to enclose the piezoelectric sensing element. The casing further comprises a non-metallic portion located in relative to the wireless module to allow transmission of the wireless signals. Corresponding wireless piezoelectric accelerometer systems are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-layered piezoelectric ceramic-containing structure There is provided a multi-layered piezoelectric ceramic-containing structure comprising: a metal substrate; a metallic adhesive layer on a surface of the metal substrate; a non-metallic thermal barrier layer on the metallic adhesive layer; and a piezoelectric ceramic layer sandwiched between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer is on the non-metallic thermal barrier layer. There is also provided a method of forming the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring plastic deformation of a structural material are provided. An acoustic wave actuator is configured to generate acoustic wave signals to be propagated within the structural material and is in-situ fabricated on the structural material at a first location. An alternating current (AC) electric signal source drives the acoustic wave actuator to generate the acoustic wave signals at a predetermined frequency. One or more acoustic wave sensors detect the acoustic wave signals generated by the acoustic wave actuator and propagated within the structural material. More particularly, the acoustic wave detectors are configured to detect both fundamental and second harmonic acoustic signals at the predetermined frequency. The acoustic wave sensors are in-situ fabricated on the structural material at one or more second locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring plastic deformation of a structural material are provided. An acoustic wave actuator is configured to generate acoustic wave signals to be propagated within the structural material and is in-situ fabricated on the structural material at a first location. An alternating current (AC) electric signal source drives the acoustic wave actuator to generate the acoustic wave signals at a predetermined frequency. One or more acoustic wave sensors detect the acoustic wave signals generated by the acoustic wave actuator and propagated within the structural material. More particularly, the acoustic wave detectors are configured to detect both fundamental and second harmonic acoustic signals at the predetermined frequency. The acoustic wave sensors are in-situ fabricated on the structural material at one or more second locations.

Abstract: A fluid jet dispenser using at least two multilayer piezoelectric actuators is provided. The fluid jet dispenser includes a dispensing head and an electrical driver. The dispensing head includes at least two d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators, a displacement magnifying element mechanically coupled to the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators, a piston, and a nozzle. More preferably, the two d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators operate in an anti-phase condition. The electrical driver is electrically coupled to the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators for displacing the actuators in directions substantially perpendicular to polarization of piezoelectric layers in the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators in response to charging and discharging of the actuators by the electrical driver, to generate a fast movement of the piston to jet a pressurized fluid out of the nozzle of the dispensing head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product and manufacturing method for electro-optic ceramic material having the composition (A?(1-y)A?y)1-XLnxM(1-2X/5)O3 wherein 0<x<0.1; 0<y<1; A? and A? are independently, alkali metals; Ln is a lanthanide metal; and M is a transition metal. The present invention provides a product and manufacturing method for an electro-optic device that is operable at room temperature and the properties of which are tunable by an applied external electric field.

Abstract: Wireless piezoelectric accelerometers and systems are provided. A wireless piezoelectric accelerometer may comprise a piezoelectric sensing element configured to sense mechanical acceleration and produce an electrical charge signal in response of the sensed mechanical acceleration, a signal processing module (SPM) configured to convert the electrical charge signal into a voltage signal, and process and digitize the voltage signal, and a wireless module configured to modulate and transmit the digitized voltage signal as wireless signals. The piezoelectric sensing element, the SPM and the wireless module are packaged in a casing. The casing comprises a metallic shielding chamber configured to enclose the piezoelectric sensing element. The casing further comprises a non-metallic portion located in relative to the wireless module to allow transmission of the wireless signals. Corresponding wireless piezoelectric accelerometer systems are also provided.

Abstract: An influenza detector for detecting a targeted influenza virus and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor for Influenza A virus detection in liquid are provided. The influenza detector includes a liquid environment, the surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor and an influenza specific binding agent such as an antibody. The agent is immobilized on a surface of the SAW sensor for selectively capturing an analyte for the targeted influenza virus. The SAW sensor is in contact with the liquid environment and includes a substrate comprising a piezo-electric material for producing a surface acoustic wave signal in response to an applied electric field and an insulative layer formed on top of the substrate and having a functionalized surface formed thereon for selectively immobilizing the influenza specific binding agent, the functionalized surface being in contact with the liquid environment.