Abstract: Provided are a ceramic substrate, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electrical device using the same. A ceramic substrate includes a first laminated body, a second laminated body and an adhesive part. The first laminated body includes a predetermined electrode formed therein. The second laminated body is laminated on and electrically connected to the first laminated body. Also, the adhesive part is intervened between the first laminated body and the second laminated body to adhere the first and second laminated bodies through interfacial reaction.

Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component for gas turbine engines. The method contemplates replacing a plurality of plies with insert material. The insert material can be partially cured or pre-cured and applied in place of a plurality of small plies or it may be inserted into cavities of a component in the form of a paste or a ply. The insert material is isotropic, being formed of a combination of matrix material and chopped fibers, tow, cut plies or combinations thereof. The use of the insert material allows for features such as thin edges with thicknesses of less than about 0.030 inches and small radii such as found in corners. The CMC components of the present invention replace small ply inserts cut to size to fit into areas of contour change or thickness change, and replace the small ply inserts with a fabricated single piece discontinuously reinforced composite insert, resulting in fewer defects, such as wrinkles, and better dimensional control.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic substrate according to an aspect of the invention may include: manufacturing a ceramic laminate including a glass component; laminating constraining layers on upper and lower parts of the ceramic laminate; performing primary firing within a first temperature range that does not allow crystallization of the glass component included in the ceramic laminate; removing the constraining layers and forming an external electrode on the ceramic laminate after the primary firing is completed; and performing secondary firing of the ceramic laminate having the external electrode formed thereon within a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range.

Abstract: A method of applying a ceramic coating to a substrate comprises laminating one or more layers of a green ceramic tape to a rigid substrate using a tackifying resin to adhere the tape to the substrate. Upon firing, the tackifying resin ensures near zero shrinkage of the tape in the XY plane without usage of elevated pressures or temperatures during lamination of green tape to the substrate. The thermal degradation completion temperature of the tackifying resin is lower than that of the resin binder used in the green tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming fluoroplastic article, comprising inner and outer fluoroplastic layers and a metal meshwork, the metal meshwork being arranged between the inner and outer fluoroplastic layers, characterized by the meshwork can be stretched and compressed in the axial direction.

Abstract: There is provided a constraining green including a first constraining layer having a surface disposed on the one of the top and bottom surfaces of the ceramic laminated body, the first constraining layer containing a first inorganic powder; and a second constraining layer disposed on a top of the first constraining layer and containing a second inorganic powder and a fly ash. The constraining green sheet serves to ensure less shrinkage of the ceramic laminated body and improve debinding characteristics.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a flat ceramic sheet including an internal electrode used for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic electronic part. Specifically, an electrode portion is formed on a surface of a transparent base member, and a photosensitive slurry containing dielectric powder is applied thereon. The photosensitive slurry is exposed from the backside of the base member up to a predetermined thickness, and then it is subjected to development. After that, the base member is removed. Thus, a ceramic green sheet is obtained.

Abstract: A method for bonding slider row bars for photolithography process, includes steps of: providing a first carrier plate having a sticky surface; providing slider row bars each having a first surface for forming ABS and an opposite second surface, and securing each slider row bar to the first carrier plate with its first surface facing the sticky surface; providing an encapsulation glue and dispensing it to the second surfaces and gaps between the slider row bars; providing a second carrier plate and attaching it to the second surfaces through the encapsulation glue; irradiating the first carrier plate and the encapsulation glue with ultraviolet light such that the first carrier plate is removed from the slider row bars, and the encapsulation glue is cured to bond the slider row bars with the second carrier plate together.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic substrate that can be easily performed with high efficiency at low cost without affecting the performance of a multilayer ceramic substrate. A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic substrate according to an aspect of the invention may include: printing a cutting region onto at least one of a plurality of ceramic green sheets when the plurality of ceramic green sheets are laminated to form the ceramic laminate; firing the ceramic laminate; and cutting the fired ceramic laminate along the cutting region.

Abstract: An acoustic pressure type sensor is fabricated on a supporting substrate by depositing and etching a number of thin films on the supporting substrate and by machining the supporting substrate. The resulting structure contains a pressure sensitive, electrically conductive diaphragm positioned at a distance from an electrically conductive fixed electrode. In operation, the diaphragm deflects in response to an acoustic pressure and the corresponding change of electrical capacitance between the diaphragm and the fixed electrode is detected using an electrical circuit. Two or more such acoustic sensors are combined on the same supporting substrate with an interaural flexible mechanical connection, to form a directional sensor with a small surface area.

Abstract: A magnetic core portion 16, a residual base material portion 42, and a connecting portion 43 are formed by pressing from a base material 40. Notches 18A are formed at a peripheral edge of the magnetic core portion 16, which is bent in the direction of the plate thickness to form a temporary fixing portion 18. When base materials 40 are overlapped to cut the magnetic core portions 16 from the connecting portion 43, the magnetic core portions 16 are pressed in directions toward one another so that the temporary fixing portion 18 is filled between notches 18A in the other magnetic core portion 16, to fix temporarily the other magnetic core portions 16. Since the magnetic core portions 16 are temporarily and simultaneously fixed by pressing in a cutting step normally carried out, the magnetic core portions can be temporarily fixed with ease.

Abstract: A bonding material and a related manufacturing method are disclosed in which an unfired ceramic body A, internally formed with a cavity portion or a surface formed with a concaved portion, and an unfired ceramic body B are bonded to each other. The bonding material is applied to a bonding area between the unfired ceramic bodies A and B in a thickness ranging from 10 to 25 ?m to provide a bonded body that is fired to obtain a ceramic bonded body. The bonding material contains an inorganic powder, an organic binder and an organic solvent in a composition to satisfy relationships 0?X—Z?2.6 and 0?Y—Z?2.6 where “X” represents a firing contraction ratio (%) of the unfired ceramic body A, “Y” a firing contraction ratio (%) of the unfired ceramic body B, and “Z” a firing contraction ratio of tie bonding material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) substrate includes the following steps of: preparing a plurality of ceramic sheets; forming a plurality of zones and at least one cutting pattern on each of the ceramic sheets, wherein the cutting pattern is formed between neighboring two of the zones; forming at least one conductive pattern on at least one of the ceramic sheets; and stacking the ceramic sheets.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic substrate includes: a) discharging a droplet of a conductive ink on each of a plurality of green sheets so as to draw a liquid pattern made of the conductive ink on each of the green sheets; b) drying the liquid pattern so as to form a dry pattern; c) laminating the green sheets including the dry pattern so as to form a laminated body, and applying hydrostatic pressure on the laminated body that is decompress-packaged so as to form a pressure-bonded body; and d) firing the pressure-bonded body so as to form a multilayer ceramic substrate. In the method, in the step a), the liquid pattern is drawn by drawing a wiring liquid pattern and a dummy liquid pattern drawn along a vicinity of the wiring liquid pattern.

Abstract: Provided are a constraining green sheet and a method of manufacturing a multi-layer ceramic substrate using the same. The constraining green sheet includes a first constraining layer and a second constraining layer. The first constraining layer has a side to be disposed on a multi-layer ceramic laminated structure and is formed of a first inorganic powder having a first particle diameter. The second constraining layer is disposed on the top of the first constraining layer and is formed of a second inorganic powder having a second particle diameter larger than the first particle diameter. Thus, a shrinkage suppression rate can be increased and a de-binder passage can be secured in a firing process of the ceramic laminated structure by using the constraining green sheet formed of inorganic powders that are different in terms of density and particle diameter.

Abstract: In the production of a ceramic substrate (1) with a level difference (3), a surface of a fired substrate obtained by firing of a ceramic green sheet is honed to form the level difference (3). Alternatively, a level difference is first formed through processing of a ceramic green sheet, laminating of a ceramic green sheet, or the like, and thereafter the ceramic green sheet is fired to obtain a fired substrate (ceramic substrate) (1) with a level difference (3).

Abstract: A method for making an embedded toroidal inductor (118) includes forming in a ceramic substrate (100) a first plurality of conductive vias (102) radially spaced a first distance from a central axis (101) so as to define an inner circumference. A second plurality of conductive vias (104) is formed radially spaced a second distance about the central axis so as to define an outer circumference. A first plurality of conductive traces (110) forming an electrical connection between substantially adjacent ones of the first and second plurality of conductive vias is formed on a first surface (106) of the ceramic substrate. Further, a second plurality of conductive traces (110) forming an electrical connection between circumferentially offset ones of the first and second plurality of conductive vias is formed on a second surface of the ceramic substrate opposed from the first surface to define a three dimensional toroidal coil.

Abstract: A flexible insulation blanket having a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) outer layer, and a method of producing a flexible insulation blanket having a smooth, aerodynamically suitable, outer surface by infiltrating ceramic material within the outer ceramic fabric layer of the flexible insulation blanket and curing the ceramic material to form a CMC layer. The CMC layer is cured while the blanket is under compression such that the resulting CMC layer has a smooth surface.

Abstract: A multi-layer ceramic substrate with an embedded cavity and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one ceramic thin plate and at least one ceramic pre-mold plate having a surface formed with a conductive layer; stacking the ceramic thin plate and the ceramic pre-mold plate to form a stacked structure with at least one embedded cavity; and sintering the stacked structure.

Abstract: A method of using sacrificial materials for fabricating internal cavities and channels in laminated dielectric structures, which can be used as dielectric substrates and package mounts for microelectronic and microfluidic devices. A sacrificial mandrel is placed in-between two or more sheets of a deformable dielectric material (e.g., unfired LTCC glass/ceramic dielectric), wherein the sacrificial mandrel is not inserted into a cutout made in any of the sheets. The stack of sheets is laminated together, which deforms the sheet or sheets around the sacrificial mandrel. After lamination, the mandrel is removed, (e.g., during LTCC burnout), thereby creating a hollow internal cavity in the monolithic ceramic structure.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a diesel particulate filter, the filter assembly having: a first end disk; a second end disk; a center tube secured to the first end disk by a sealing glass; a filter media secured to the first end disk and the second end disk by a sealing glass.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite structure has a reinforced core for carrying loads. The core includes a web connected between the facesheets by edge bonded joints for transmitting compressive, tensile and shear loads. The edge bonded joints are laterally reinforced by bridging members bonded to the facesheets, on opposite sides of the webs The bridging members may comprise low density, high temperature rigid foam.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition includes about 10% to about 40% by weight of BaO, about 20% to about 65% by weight of SiO2, about 6% to about 40% by weight of Al2O3, about 1% to about 15% by weight of B2O3, about 0.3% to about 3% by weight of Cr2O3, and about 1% to about 40% by weight of ZrO2. A multilayer ceramic substrate has a laminated structure including an inner layer portion and outer layer portions that have a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than that of the inner layer portion. The use of the dielectric ceramic composition for the outer layer portions enables the ceramic to be resistant to erosion caused by a plating liquid used for plating external conductive films, thus maintaining good adhesiveness between the external conductive films and the outer layer portions.

Abstract: A cutting tool insert particularly for turning of steel comprising a body and a coating with a first (innermost) layer system of at least two layers of TiCxNyOz with x+y+z?1 with a total thickness of from about 0.7 to about 4.5 ?m, a second layer system to a large extent consisting of Al2O3 and an outermost layer system comprising one or several layers in sequence of TiCxNy (x+y?1) with individual thicknesses of greater than about 0.15 to about 0.8 ?m and a layer with Al2O3 with a thickness greater than about 0.1 to about 0.4 ?m with a total thickness of the outermost layer system thinner than about 2.5 ?m and a total thickness of the coating in the range of from about 2.0 to about 12.0 ?m.

Abstract: A high reliability ceramic laminate suppresses delamination and cracks. Wide ceramic sheets are temporarily laminated by heat and pressure to form a pre-laminate which is cut to form a unit body. Unit bodies are laminated to obtain a ceramic laminate. Dewaxing removes not less than 90% of a binder resin before the ceramic laminate is sintered.

Abstract: Microfluidic channels utilizing magnetohydrodynamics are used to pump very small volumes of solution. The channels have electrodes along the walls and a current carrying species within a solution carries current through the solution. The combination of the electric and magnetic fields causes the solution to flow through the channel.

Abstract: A composite ceramic body and a method thereof are provided. The composite ceramic body comprising a first bonding body comprising a ceramic containing Si ingredient, and a second bonding body bonded to the first bonding body through a bonding material containing, as main ingredient, a Si compound which includes the element common to the Si ingredient contained in the first bonding body. The first and second bonding bodies can be bonded strongly and uniformly without any adhesive. Since the composite ceramic body has high bonding strength, it is applicable to microchemical chips and reformers.

Abstract: A method for producing a crystallographically-oriented ceramic includes the steps of forming a first sheet with a thickness of 10 ?m or less containing a first inorganic material in which grain growth occurs at a first temperature or higher and a second sheet containing a second inorganic material in which grain growth occurs at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, laminating one or more each of the first and second sheets to form a laminated body, firing the laminated body at a temperature equal to or higher than the first temperature and lower than the second temperature to cause grain growth in the first inorganic material, and then firing the laminated body at a temperature equal to or higher than the second temperature to cause grain growth in the second inorganic material in the direction of a crystal plane of the first inorganic material.

Abstract: A method of matching a firing profile of alumina material is disclosed as having a reference profile preparing step of preparing a reference profile of dissimilar material, an alumina profile preparing step of preparing an alumina profile of alumina material, a comparing step of comparing the reference profile and the alumina profile to determine whether to or not to perform correction on the alumina profile, and an adjusting step of adjusting the alumina material by increasing or decreasing a specific surface area of alumina raw material powder or by adding zirconia or magnesia to alumina material when a determination is made that the alumina profile needs to be corrected.

Abstract: A metallic glass laminate of the present invention is characterized in that a metallic glass layer of amorphous phase is formed on the substrate surface, and there is no continuous pore (pinhole) through the metallic glass layer. The metallic glass laminate is preferably obtained by solidification and lamination of at least part of the metallic glass powder in the molten state or in the supercooled liquid state on the substrate surface. Because of the dense metallic glass layer of homogenous amorphous phase, the functionalities of metallic glass such as corrosion resistance and wear resistance can be satisfactorily provided. A thick and a large-area metallic glass layer can be formed. The metallic glass layer can also be formed into various shapes within the supercooled liquid temperature range. In addition, a metallic glass bulk can be obtained by removing the substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a slider includes the steps of laminating the bottom-facing surface of a third layer to the upper-facing surface of a fourth layer, laminating the bottom-facing surface of a second layer to the upper-facing surface of the third layer in a heat-compression mold, heat-pressing the combined second, third and fourth layers in the mold to form a desired shape, and heat pressing a first layer on top of the second layer inside the mold.

Abstract: A paste composition comprises inorganic particles; and a binder containing a copolymer made by copolymerizing a mixture. The mixture comprises a first (meth)acrylic ester whose homopolymer has a first glass transition temperature Tg[h]; and a second (meth)acrylic ester whose homopolymer has a second glass transition temperature Tg[l] lower than the first glass transition temperature Tg[h]. The total molar fraction of the first and second (meth) acrylic esters in the mixture is 80 mol % or more. The first and the second glass transition temperatures Tg[h] and Tg[L] satisfy the relationships Tg[h]?100° C. and Tg[h]?Tg[l]?50° C.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber-based filter element having a pleated geometry is provided. The pleated filter element comprises an elongated ceramic filter medium disposed circumferentially around a series of alternately opposing convex saddles along an axis. The alternately opposing convex saddles have root portions and orbicular heads. The root portion of each alternately opposing convex saddle is truncated by an opposing juxtaposition of the orbicular heads of the immediately anterior and posterior convex saddles along the axis. Also provided are methods of forming ceramic fiber-based filter elements having a pleated geometry and forming apparatuses that can be employed to form the same, as well as filter units made using filter elements having a pleated geometry.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic electronic component can prevent the occurrence of bubble trapping. In the method, when an external layer ceramic green sheet is pressure-bonded, for example, to a sheet made of a good quality paper having a rough surface, which is placed on a supporting member, followed by peeling off its carrier film, a first-layer ceramic green sheet is formed. The first-layer external layer ceramic green sheet uses a sterically hindered dispersing agent, such as an aryl ether polymer, as a dispersing agent. Since it is light in weight, the binder segregates at the upper side, and hence a C concentration changes in the thickness direction. More particularly, compared to a C concentration at a surface at a carrier film side supported by the carrier film, a C concentration at an open surface opposite to the surface at the carrier film side is about 1.5 to about 4.0 times.

Abstract: A method of making an acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes forming a multi-layer assembly. The multi-layer assembly includes a first layer member and a second layer member. Each member includes a center portion, an edge portion and an aperture separating the center portion and the edge portion. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.

Abstract: Provided is a ceramic powder for a green sheet that gives a low-temperature fired ceramic substrate that can be fired at a temperature of 900° C. or lower and has excellent dielectric properties in the higher frequency bands such as microwave and millimeter-wave bands, has a low hygroscopicity, and has minor warping and creasing even in the case of co-firing with a silver-based conductor paste, the ceramic powder for a green sheet including a glass powder and an alumina powder, in which the glass powder contains 35 to 39% by weight of SiO2, 9 to 17% by weight of Al2O3, 21 to 40% by weight of B2O3, 10 to 20% by weight of R?O, wherein R? is one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca and Ba, 0.2 to 2% by weight of Li2O, and 0.5 to 2% by weight of MO2, wherein M is one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of Ti and Zr, so that the total is 100% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (12, 13) for producing a multi-layered three-dimensional component (14). In a first step, a layered geometrical structure is formed, said structure consisting of at least two webs (16) of an at least high temperatures-resistant material. In a second step, an at least partly material connection is produced between the individual webs of the entire layered structure by means of at least one thermal treatment.

Abstract: Thin plies used to manufacture components having changes in contour and changes in thickness and in fabricating thin cross-sections utilizing scrims. A scrim is applied to the surface of a thin, high temperature CMC prepreg ply. The scrim assists in maintaining the integrity of the thin ply during handling and lay-up operations thereby preventing damage to the thin plies and the lay-up. The scrim is a thin supportive layer applied to the surface of a thin prepreg to improve its handling characteristics, such as by preventing wrinkling. The scrim can be a coarse or fine mesh of thin or heavy fiber applied as a reinforcement. The scrim can be a temporary removable structure or can be incorporated into the component as part of the thin ply. The structure and composition of the scrim will be dependent upon whether the scrim is a temporary removable structure or whether it is incorporated permanently into the component.

Abstract: A method for accurately and easily manufacturing a ceramic multi-layered substrate includes a first step of forming a green ceramic laminate including a plurality of stacked green ceramic base layers, a second step of firing the green ceramic laminate to sinter the green ceramic layers, and a third step of separating the sintered ceramic laminate formed by firing the green ceramic laminate into a ceramic multi-layered substrate. The green ceramic base layers stacked in the first step include a separation pattern formed along separation lines, the separation pattern disappearing during firing. In the third step, the sintered ceramic laminate is separated into a plurality of ceramic multi-layered substrates separated through a cavity formed by the disappearance of the separation pattern during the firing in the second step.

Abstract: In a method for producing a multilayer ceramic substrate, a green ceramic laminate includes green conductive patterns arranged on a plurality of ceramic green sheets and portions to be formed into a plurality of multilayer ceramic substrates. Boundary-defining conductive patterns are arranged on the ceramic green sheets and along boundaries of the multilayer ceramic substrates. The boundary-defining conductive patterns have firing shrinkage characteristics that are different from those of the ceramic green sheets. During firing of the green ceramic laminate, cavities adjacent to edges of the boundary-defining conductive patterns are formed. A sintered ceramic laminate is divided at edges passing through the cavities.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic board prevents damage to a wiring conductor formed on the surface of a multilayer ceramic board fabricated via a non-contraction process. On at least one principal surface of a layered body made up of a plurality of board ceramic green sheets including ceramic material powder, contraction prevention green sheets including inorganic material powder which is not sintered at the baking temperature of the board ceramic green sheet are arranged such that along at least a portion of the outer circumference of the principal surface, the portion and a nearby portion thereof are exposed to form a compound layered body, the compound layered body is baked under a condition in which the ceramic material powder is sintered, and the inorganic material powder is not sintered, following which the contraction prevention green sheets are removed.

Abstract: A ceramics composite member includes a structure in which a first ceramic member and a second ceramic member are integrated with a joint portion. The joint portion has a texture in which a silicon phase having an average diameter of 0.05 ?m or more and 10 ?m or less is continuously provided in a network form in interstices of silicon carbide particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 ?m or more and 0.1 mm or less.

Abstract: The invention includes a stacked open pattern inductor fabricated above a semiconductor substrate. The stacked open pattern inductor includes a plurality of parallel open conducting patterns embedded in a magnetic oxide or in an insulator and a magnetic material. Embedding the stacked open pattern inductor in a magnetic oxide or in an insulator and a magnetic material increases the inductance of the inductor and allows the magnetic flux to be confined to the area of the inductor. A layer of magnetic material may be located above the inductor and below the inductor to confine electronic noise generated in the stacked open pattern inductor to the area occupied by the inductor. The stacked open pattern inductor may be fabricated using conventional integrated circuit manufacturing processes, and the inductor may be used in connection with computer systems.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro pump member, in which a plurality of cells formed in a base part are used as pressurizing chambers, and side walls forming the pressurizing chambers are constructed by piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements. The micro pump member is formed by using a punch and die to form slits through green sheets that are laminated to one another.

Abstract: A set of resin sheets includes a plurality of resin sheets. Each resin sheet is disposed in a site to be a surface recess or inner void in a ceramic green sheet to be laminated, and a plurality of such ceramic green sheets each with the resin sheet disposed therein are laminated and fired, whereupon the resin sheets are removed by thermal decomposition during the firing. In the set of resin sheets, the relation of Ta<Tb?Tc is satisfied wherein Ta (° C.) indicates an 80% weight reduction temperature of an uppermost resin sheet, Tb (° C.) indicates an 80% weight reduction temperature of a lowermost resin sheet, and Tc (° C.) indicates a 20% weight reduction temperature of a resin binder which is contained in the ceramic green sheets in which the green sheets are disposed.

Abstract: A pressure loader for firing a laminated ceramic substrate includes an outer loader and an inner loader. The outer loader is mounted on a periphery region of a ceramic laminated body to press the periphery region, and the inner loader is mounted on an internal region of the ceramic laminated body to press the internal region.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for casting toilets. In the disclosed method, at least one of a shell, engine and rim configuration for a toilet is provided, wherein the configuration is selected from a plurality of shell, engine and rim configurations defined by a corresponding plurality of shell, engine and rim molds. Each mold defines a casting space therewithin for casting the selected configuration therefrom. Each shell configuration includes a hollow housing space for disposition of a unique sanitaryware performance engine configuration therewithin. While still greenware, the cast engine is disposed in the shell housing space to form at least one shell and engine assembly thereby. Subsequently, and while also in a green state, the cast rim is assembled with the shell and engine assembly and the entire shell, engine and rim assembly is fired to form a single integral piece of sanitaryware.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a textured dielectric substrate (400) for an RF circuit. The method can include the step (104) of selecting a plurality of dielectric substrate materials, each having a distinct combination or set of electrical properties that is different from the combination of electrical properties of every other one of dielectric substrate materials. Selecting a textured substrate patter (106) which is comprised of at least two types of distinct areas respectively having the distinct sets of electrical properties, with each distinct area dimensioned much smaller than a wavelength at a frequency of interest. Cutting the dielectric substrate materials (202, 204) into a size and shape consistent with the distinct areas of the selected pattern so as to form a plurality of dielectric pieces (206, 208). Arranging the dielectric pieces on a base plate (302) in accordance with the selected pattern to form the textured dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A method of producing an actuator includes shaping a block of ferroelectric material to provide an active element of the actuator. The element includes a stack of ferroelectric layers with adjacent layers separated by electrodes arranged parallel to end faces of the element. The method includes applying a primary electrode to the end faces, immersing the element and the primary electrode within a dielectric fluid, applying a primary poling voltage to the primary electrode so as to polarize the element in a first polarization direction, applying a secondary external electrode to side faces of the element, and applying a secondary poling voltage to the secondary electrode to polarize alternate layers along the first polarization direction and the other layers along a second, oppositely-directed polarization axis. The method may also include applying a conductive film to the end faces and/or applying heat to help evaporate the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: Refractory coatings comprising unstabilized zirconia, silica, and, optionally, zircon and/or mullite are disclosed herein. The unstabilized zirconia, silica, and optional zircon and/or mullite are applied as a slurry onto ceramic substrates such as silicon carbide and fired. The refractory coatings of the present invention maintained good edge definition and color when applied to ceramic substrates and subjected to temperatures over 1100° C.