Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a polymer matrix comprising a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are immiscible with each other, and a plurality of piezoelectric particles located in at least a portion of the polymer matrix. The piezoelectric particles may remain substantially non-agglomerated when combined with the polymer matrix. The compositions may define an extrudable material that is a composite having a form factor such as a composite filament, a composite pellet, a composite powder, or a composite paste. Additive manufacturing processes using the compositions may comprise forming a printed part by depositing the compositions layer-by-layer.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a plurality of piezoelectric particles located in a polymer matrix comprising a first polymer material and a sacrificial material that are immiscible with each other. The sacrificial material, which may comprise a second polymer material, may be removable from the first polymer material under specified conditions. The piezoelectric particles may remain substantially non-agglomerated when combined with the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be treated to remove the sacrificial material to introduce a plurality of pores. The compositions may have a form factor such as a composite filament, a composite pellet, a composite powder, or a composite paste.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a conformable ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric layer and electrodes able to conform to curved surfaces, and a clamp for pressing the transducer into ultrasonic contact with a curved surface. Conformability is ensured with a thin, porous piezoelectric layer and suitable electrical conductors and insulators. The ultrasonic transducer may operate without further thermal shielding under harsh environments and/or at high temperatures.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a conformable ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric layer and electrodes able to conform to curved surfaces, and a clamp for pressing the transducer into ultrasonic contact with a curved surface. Conformability is ensured with a thin, porous piezoelectric layer and suitable electrical conductors and insulators. The ultrasonic transducer may operate without further thermal shielding under harsh environments and/or at high temperatures.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a conformable ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric layer and electrodes able to conform to curved surfaces, and a clamp for pressing the transducer into ultrasonic contact with a curved surface. Conformability is ensured with a thin, porous piezoelectric layer and suitable electrical conductors and insulators. The ultrasonic transducer may operate without further thermal shielding under harsh environments and/or at high temperatures.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a conformable ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric layer and electrodes able to conform to curved surfaces, and a clamp for pressing the transducer into ultrasonic contact with a curved surface. Conformability is ensured with a thin, porous piezoelectric layer and suitable electrical conductors and insulators. The ultrasonic transducer may operate without further thermal shielding under harsh environments and/or at high temperatures.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for determining a property of an object by measuring ultrasonic attenuation. With the proposed method, a measured ultrasonic interaction signal of the object is compared with a reference signal produced using the same generation and detection setup, but using a reference part. The reference ultrasonic signal has low attenuation, and exhibits equivalent diffraction properties as the object, with respect to a broadband ultrasonic pulse. The difference is attributable to the attenuation of the object. The attenuation as a function of frequency, the attenuation spectrum, is fitted to a model to obtain a parameter useful for identifying one of the many properties of an object that varies with ultrasonic attenuation.