Abstract: In an embodiment a device includes a thermoelectric component, an electrode arranged opposite the thermoelectric component, a high voltage source configured to generate a high voltage between the thermoelectric component and the electrode sufficient to ignite a dielectric barrier discharge, wherein the thermoelectric component includes two or more thermoelectric elements and metal bridges connecting the thermoelectric elements, and a weakly conductive layer directly contacting the metal bridges and a first ceramic plate.

Abstract: In an embodiment a device includes a thermoelectric component, an electrode arranged opposite the thermoelectric component and a high voltage source configured to generate a high voltage between the thermoelectric component and the electrode sufficient to ignite a dielectric barrier discharge.

Abstract: In an embodiment a piezoelectric component includes a piezoelectric layer having a polycrystalline piezoelectric ceramic material with a coercive field strength of at least 1.8 kV/mm and a carrier element to which the piezoelectric layer is arranged and with which the piezoelectric layer is mechanically coupled.

Abstract: In an embodiment a plasma generator includes a piezoelectric transformer having an input region and an output region, wherein the input region is configured to convert an applied AC voltage into a mechanical oscillation, wherein the output region is configured to convert the mechanical oscillation into an electrical voltage, wherein the piezoelectric transformer is configured to ignite a plasma at an output-side end side of the piezoelectric transformer, wherein the piezoelectric transformer includes a longest edge and a shortest edge, and wherein the longest edge has a length that is twenty times a length of the shortest edge or less.

Abstract: In an embodiment A device includes a first housing, in which a first device configured to generate electric fields with high field strengths is arranged and a second housing, in which a control circuit is arranged, wherein the control circuit is configured to apply an input voltage to the first device, wherein the device is configured to produce a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma.

Abstract: In an embodiment a method includes applying an AC voltage to an input region, converting, by the input region, the AC voltage into a mechanical oscillation, converting, by an output region, the mechanical oscillation into an electrical voltage and igniting a plasma at an output-side end side of an piezoelectric transformer, wherein the piezoelectric transformer includes the input region and the output region, wherein the piezoelectric transformer includes a longest edge and a shortest edge, and wherein the longest edge has a length that is twenty times a length of the shortest edge or less.

Abstract: In an embodiment a component includes at least one carrier layer, the carrier layer having a top side and a bottom side and at least one functional layer arranged on the top side of the carrier layer, the functional layer including a material having a specific electrical characteristic, wherein the component is configured for direct integration into an electrical system as a discrete component.

Abstract: In an embodiment a device includes a first housing in which a piezoelectric transformer is arranged and a second housing in which a control circuit is arranged, the control circuit configured to apply an input voltage to the piezoelectric transformer, wherein the piezoelectric transformer is configured to ionize a process medium, and wherein the device is configured to provide a circulating air operation so that the process medium is guided from the piezoelectric transformer through a catalytic converter and then back to the piezoelectric transformer and generate a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma.

Abstract: A device (1) comprising an electro-ceramic component (2) which has a first electrical contact (3A), provided on a first side face (2A) of the electro-ceramic component (2) in the excitation zone (11), and a second electrical contact (3B) provided on a second side face (2B) of the electro-ceramic component (2). A sealing compound (20) is placed around the electro-ceramic component (2) so that the first electrical contact (3A) and the second electrical contact (3B) are covered by the sealing compound (20) and a free end (26) of a section (24) of the high-voltage zone (12) of the electro-ceramic component (2) projects beyond a free end (22) of the sealing compound (20).

Abstract: A method of operating a piezoelectric plasma generator including applying an input signal to a piezoelectric transformer of the piezoelectric plasma generator. An absolute value of a peak amplitude of the input signal is periodically reduced and increased to a level smaller and larger than an ignition voltage of the plasma generator, such that plasma generation periodically collapses.

Abstract: A PTC heating element for an electric heater having a PTC element, an electrode formed on a surface of the PTC element for electrically contacting the PTC element, at least one additional contact for electrically connecting the electrode of the PTC element, and a carrier layer. The carrier layer is electrically insulating, the thickness of the PTC element is ?500 ?m, and the installation height of the PTC heating element is between 500 ?m and 2500 ?m. Also disclosed is an electric heater and use of the PTC heating element in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A PTC heating element for an electric heater having a PTC element, an electrode formed on a surface of the PTC element for electrically contacting the PTC element, at least one additional contact for electrically connecting the electrode of the PTC element, and a carrier layer. The carrier layer is electrically insulating, the thickness of the PTC element is ?500 ?m, and the installation height of the PTC heating element is between 500 ?m and 2500 ?m. Also disclosed is an electric heater and use of the PTC heating element in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: In an embodiment a process for producing ozone includes applying an input voltage to an input area of a piezoelectric transformer so that a high voltage is generated in an output area of the piezoelectric transformer, wherein the piezoelectric transformer is operated in a pulsed manner such that phases in which the input voltage is applied to the piezoelectric transformer and phases in which the input voltage is not applied to the piezoelectric transformer alternate at regular intervals and surrounding the piezoelectric transformer with an oxygenic process gas so that the ozone is formed from the process gas by the high voltage generated in the output area.

Abstract: In an embodiment a device includes a thermoelectric component, an electrode arranged opposite the thermoelectric component and a high voltage source configured to generate a high voltage between the thermoelectric component and the electrode sufficient to ignite a dielectric barrier discharge.

Abstract: A hard lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic has an ABO3 structure with A sites and B sites. The PZT ceramic is doped with Mn and with Nb on the B sites and the ratio Nb/Mn is <2. A piezoelectric multilayer component having such a PZT ceramic and also a method for producing a piezoelectric multilayer component are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plasma above a treatment object. The apparatus includes a plasma-generating element such that during operation the plasma is generated by the plasma-generating element. The apparatus further includes a sealing element attached to the plasma-generating element. The sealing element has a cavity and is configured to form a closed volume with a part of the treatment object, so that at least a part of the cavity is part of the closed volume and, during operation of the apparatus, the plasma is generated in the closed volume. The sealing element includes a reception region that is configured so that a part of the treatment object can be inserted into the reception region. A method is also disclosed for performing a plasma treatment to a treatment object using the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of operating a piezoelectric plasma generator including applying an input signal to a piezoelectric transformer of the piezoelectric plasma generator. An absolute value of a peak amplitude of the input signal is periodically reduced and increased to a level smaller and larger than an ignition voltage of the plasma generator, such that plasma generation periodically collapses.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer and a method for producing a piezoelectric transformer are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes manufacturing a main body having an input region having electrodes and a first piezoelectric material being alternately stacked one on top of the other. An output region includes a second piezoelectric material. The first piezoelectric material is polarized and a removable contact is fitted to an output-side end side of the main body, which end side faces away from the input region. A first electrical potential is applied to the removable contact for polarizing the second piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A cooling system for a semiconductor device. The system includes a first heat sink containing a ceramic material as a main component and a semiconductor device having a first contact surface. The first heat sink serves for cooling the semiconductor device and as an electrical insulator with respect to the semiconductor device. Furthermore, a first metal-containing layer is provided on at least one outer surface of the first heat sink, the first metal-containing layer having a size at least equal to the area of the first contact surface of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is attached to the first metal-containing layer via the contact surface by a first bonding layer formed by soldering or sintering.

Abstract: In an embodiment a component includes at least one carrier layer, the carrier layer having a top side and a bottom side and at least one functional layer arranged on the top side of the carrier layer, the functional layer including a material having a specific electrical characteristic, wherein the component is configured for direct integration into an electrical system as a discrete component.