Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of forming a halide perovskite crystal. The method involves dispersing a halide perovskite material exhibiting a perovskite crystallographic lattice into a solution. The solution can include amine and a volatile solvent. The method involves forming a metastable intermediate state via amine molecules inserting into the perovskite crystallographic lattice. The method involves transitioning the perovskite material to a photo-sensitive phase via escape of the amine molecules from the perovskite crystallographic lattice. The method involves transitioning the metastable intermediate state to a halide perovskite crystal film.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a piezoelectric ceramic and methods of making the same that is suitable for use as a high-power piezoelectric ceramic, and in particular a piezoelectric ceramic that exhibits both good hard properties and good soft properties. Embodiments involve generating the piezoelectric ceramic via the combination of chemical modification/doping and/or a texturing method so that the piezoelectric material exhibits a large figure of merit, as well as other hard and soft properties. The chemical modification involves Cu and Mn doping a piezoelectric material composition having a relaxor-lead titanate based ferroelectric structure. The texturing involves templated grain growth (TGG) texturing using a BaTiO3 (BT) template.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a light-harvesting perovskite layer including having deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules incorporated within the perovskite crystal to serve as an effective carrier transport medium. Some embodiments include formation of a DNA doped MAPbI3, the DNA doped MAPbI3 being formed by using a DNA-hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (“DNA-CTMA”) complex. The DNA doped MAPbI3 can be used as the light-harvesting perovskite layer in a photovoltaic device. Other molecules such as artemisinin (ART) and melanin are also demonstrated to show the effectiveness in charge and thermal transport.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a light-harvesting perovskite layer including having deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules incorporated within the perovskite crystal to serve as an effective carrier transport medium. Some embodiments include formation of a DNA doped MAPbI3, the DNA doped MAPbI3 being formed by using a DNA-hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (“DNA-CTMA”) complex. The DNA doped MAPbI3 can be used as the light-harvesting perovskite layer in a photovoltaic device. Other molecules such as artemisinin (ART) and melanin are also demonstrated to show the effectiveness in charge and thermal transport.

Abstract: A piezoelectric material includes a first material layer including a polycrystalline lead zinc niobate-lead zirconate titanate material arranged in a 001 crystal direction; and a second material layer including a mono-crystalline material having a 001 crystal face, wherein the lead zinc niobate-lead zirconate titanate and the mono-crystalline material are different. Also a piezoelectric device including the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A piezoelectric material includes a first material layer including a polycrystalline lead zinc niobate-lead zirconate titanate material arranged in a 001 crystal direction; and a second material layer including a mono-crystalline material having a 001 crystal face, wherein the lead zinc niobate-lead zirconate titanate and the mono-crystalline material are different. Also a piezoelectric device including the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: Textured PMN-PZT fabricated by templated grain growth (TGG) method has a piezoelectric coefficient (d) of 3 to 5 times that of its random counterpart. By combining this TGG method with low-temperature co-firing ceramics (LTCC) techniques, co-fired multilayer textured piezoelectric ceramic materials with inner electrodes were produced at a temperature as low as 925° C., which silver could be used. Trilayer PMN-PZT ceramics prepared by this method show a strain increase of 2.5 times, a driving voltage decrease of 3 times, and an equivalent piezoelectric coefficient (d*) improvement of 10 to 15 times that of conventional random ceramic counterparts. Further, a co-fired magnetostrictive/piezoelectric/magnetostrictive laminate structure with silver inner electrode was also synthesized. The integration of textured piezoelectric microstructure with the cost-effective low-temperature co-fired layered structure achieves strong magnetoelectric coupling.

Abstract: An energy harvester for converting vibration energy into electrical energy and harvesting the electrical energy includes: a base; a clamping structure which is supported by the base and is spaced apart from the base; an elastic member which is disposed between the base and the clamping structure and allows the clamping structure to be elastically moved relative to the base; and a cantilever structure including a cantilever beam having one side fixed to the clamping structure and the other side which is elastically bendable, and a mass body disposed on the cantilever beam.

Abstract: Textured ceramic compositions having improved piezoelectric characteristics as compared with their random counterparts are provided. Methods of making the compositions and devices using them are also included. More particularly, compositions comprising textured ceramic Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3—BaTiO3(NBT-BT) materials synthesized from high aspect ratio NBT seeds exhibit improved characteristics, including an increased longitudinal piezoelectric constant (d33) and magnetoelectric coupling coefficient over randomly oriented NBT-BT. Additionally provided are compositions comprising of nanostructured Na0.5B0.5TiO3—BaTiO3 ferroelectric whiskers having a high aspect ratio. Nanostructured whiskers can be used to improve the piezoelectric properties of the bulk ceramics. The inventive materials are useful in microelectronic devices, with some finding particular application as multilayer actuators and transducers.

Abstract: An energy harvester for converting vibration energy into electrical energy and harvesting the electrical energy includes: a base; a clamping structure which is supported by the base and is spaced apart from the base; an elastic member which is disposed between the base and the clamping structure and allows the clamping structure to be elastically moved relative to the base; and a cantilever structure including a cantilever beam having one side fixed to the clamping structure and the other side which is elastically bendable, and a mass body disposed on the cantilever beam.

Abstract: Components of an unmanned undersea vehicle are inspired by jellyfish that uses its flexible body and tilt sensing to achieve efficient swimming and turning. A tilt sensor, based on a statocyst, has a metal ball in a chamber lined with resistors. The tilt is sensed in accordance with which resistors the ball contacts. A composition of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with ferritin particles dispersed therein mimics the qualities of a jellyfish's mesoglea.

Abstract: Textured PMN-PZT fabricated by templated grain growth (TGG) method has a piezoelectric coefficient (d) of 3 to 5 times that of its random counterpart. By combining this TGG method with low-temperature co-firing ceramics (LTCC) techniques, co-fired multilayer textured piezoelectric ceramic materials with inner electrodes were produced at a temperature as low as 925° C., which silver could be used. Trilayer PMN-PZT ceramics prepared by this method show a strain increase of 2.5 times, a driving voltage decrease of 3 times, and an equivalent piezoelectric coefficient (d*) improvement of 10 to 15 times that of conventional random ceramic counterparts. Further, a co-fired magnetostrictive/piezoelectric/magnetostrictive laminate structure with silver inner electrode was also synthesized. The integration of textured piezoelectric microstructure with the cost-effective low-temperature co-fired layered structure achieves strong magnetoelectric coupling.

Abstract: Multi-Mechanism Energy Harvesters (MMEHs) combining magnetostrictive and inductive mechanisms with a shape and size similar to an AA battery. Included are MMEHs with (a) an inductive mode: a cylindrical tube, a rod lengthwise within the tube, permanent magnets with opposing polarities at opposing ends of the tube, an annular oscillatory magnet in the tube and between the magnets and around the rod; and a primary coil around the tube and oscillatory magnet, such that relative movement between the magnet and coil induces electrical current in the coil; and (b) a magnetostrictive mode comprising: piezoelectric cymbal transducers on opposing ends of the tube and comprising a magnetostrictive material surrounded by a secondary coil, such that movement of the magnetostrictive material induces voltage in the secondary coil. During use, electrical energy can be harvested from the relative motion between the magnet and coil and from the magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: A textured PMN-PZT ceramic is created using templated grain growth to align seed crystals in a ceramic matrix powder by tape-casting process. Heat treatment then results in the nucleation and growth of matrix crystals on aligned templates. The resulting textured PMN-PZT ceramic has high longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient and a high piezoelectric voltage coefficient. In another embodiment, a textured PMN-PT ceramic has a volume fraction of the templates no greater than 1%. The utility of this invention includes both its exceptional piezoelectric properties as well as the utilization of an economical manufacturing process that is widely used in the multi-layer ceramic capacitor industry.

Abstract: Textured ceramic compositions having improved piezoelectric characteristics as compared with their random counterparts are provided. Methods of making the compositions and devices using them are also included. More particularly, compositions comprising textured ceramic Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3—BaTiO3(NBT-BT) materials synthesized from high aspect ratio NBT seeds exhibit improved characteristics, including an increased longitudinal piezoelectric constant (d33) and magnetoelectric coupling coefficient over randomly oriented NBT-BT. Additionally provided are compositions comprising of nanostructured Na0.5B0.5TiO3—BaTiO3 ferroelectric whiskers having a high aspect ratio. Nanostructured whiskers can be used to improve the piezoelectric properties of the bulk ceramics. The inventive materials are useful in microelectronic devices, with some finding particular application as multilayer actuators and transducers.

Abstract: Components of an unmanned undersea vehicle are inspired by jellyfish that uses its flexible body and tilt sensing to achieve efficient swimming and turning. A tilt sensor, based on a statocyst, has a metal ball in a chamber lined with resistors. The tilt is sensed in accordance with which resistors the ball contacts. A composition of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with ferritin particles dispersed therein mimics the qualities of a jellyfish's mesoglea.

Abstract: A piezoelectric windmill configured to handle small scale wind flow. One embodiment the piezoelectric windmill solves problems associated with harvesting energy and generating electric energy or power using piezoelectric materials having significant advantages over previously available materials.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a flexible spring affixed at a separation distance from a shape memory alloy or artificial muscle element amplifies strain developed by the shape memory alloy or artificial muscle element while maintaining a substantial fraction of the force developed during activation of the shape memory alloy or artificial memory element. A plurality of such actuators positioned relative to each other by encapsulation or attachment to a body of material such as a terminal hub can emulate a wide variety of biological movements such as for providing gripping in the manner of an opposed human thumb or propulsion in the manner of a jellyfish.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, devices, and compositions having improved piezoelectric characteristics with high energy density. Compositions of the present invention are ceramic materials of the formula: Pb[(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3]1?x[(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3]x+Mn, where x is 0.05 to 0.20 and Mn is manganese in a form that is present from about 0.1 to 1.5 wt %. Suitable manganese forms as the starting material include MnCO3, MnO2, MnO, and Mn3O4. The compositions exhibit a high product of piezoelectric voltage constant and piezoelectric stress constant. The compositions are polycrystalline or textured with a dense microstructure and small grain.

Abstract: A piezoelectric windmill configured to handle small scale wind flow. One embodiment the piezoelectric windmill solves problems associated with harvesting energy and generating electric energy or power using piezoelectric materials having significant advantages over previously available materials.