Abstract: Provided is an imaging ellipsometry (IE)-based inspection method including selecting a mode from among a first mode of an IE-based inspection device having a first field of view (FOV) and a second mode of an IE-based inspection device having a second FOV, measuring an inspection target by the IE-based inspection device based on the selected mode, and determining whether the inspection target is normal based on a result of the measuring, wherein the measuring of the inspection target comprises simultaneously measuring patterns included in a plurality of cells provided in a region of the inspection target, the region corresponding to an FOV of the selected mode.

Abstract: A device and method for manipulating particles is provided. The device generally includes a screen acting as a support for a structure formed by particles, which may be selectively deposited on a first substrate. The device may be included in a 3D printing system.

Abstract: A component includes a magnetic core having a body formed of a first material, defining a first opening and a second opening thereon. A duct formed of a second material extends at least partially through the body between the first opening and the second opening. The first opening and the second opening are in fluid communication by way of the duct.

Abstract: A piezoelectric artificial artery can be 3D printed to provide the real-time precise sensing of blood pressure and vessel motion patterns enabling early detection of partial occlusions. An electric-field assisted 3D printing method allows for rapid printing and simultaneously poled complex ferroelectric structures with high fidelity and good piezoelectric performance. The print material consists of ferroelectric potassium sodium niobate (KNN) particles embedded within a ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer matrix.

Abstract: A method for preparing a piezoelectric film includes: coating a solution containing a piezoelectric polymer and a solvent on a substrate to obtain a film, wherein the piezoelectric polymer is a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene; and annealing the film at a temperature ranging from 122° C. to 133° C., to obtain the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a piezoelectric transducer includes depositing a layer of a piezoelectric material on a base using a depositor and applying an electric field to the layer of deposited piezoelectric material in defined locations using an electrode to sinter and pole the deposited piezoelectric material at those defined locations to form a layer of the piezoelectric transducer in a selected shape and with a selected dipole direction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an LCP film production apparatus and method. The apparatus includes: a rack; a screw extrusion device; a T-shaped material port; a squeezing assembly, where the squeezing assembly includes a first roller wheel, a second roller wheel, and a third roller wheel, the first roller wheel and the second roller wheel are fixedly mounted directly below the T-shaped material port side by side, and the third roller wheel is fixedly mounted next to the second roller wheel side by side; and an electromagnetic field generator, fixedly connected to the T-shaped material port and mounted around the T-shaped material port in a circle by means of bolts, where the screw extrusion device is fixedly mounted at the top of the rack, and the T-shaped material port is fixedly mounted on one end of the screw extrusion device.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a piezoelectric element in which a piezoelectric body substrate piece is subjected to polarization treatment and a piezoelectric element is produced. The method includes a first step in which the piezoelectric body substrate piece is held on a flat plate-shaped slightly adhesive sheet and a second step in which voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body substrate piece held on the slightly adhesive sheet and the piezoelectric body substrate piece is subjected to polarization treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate with a marking thereon. A part of the substrate has a two-dimensional structure attached thereto, and a part of the marking is present on the structure and the other part of the marking is present on the substrate itself.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an injection molding apparatus, including a fixed mold component, a movable mold component, a first positive electrode module, and a first negative electrode module. The fixed mold component has an injection port and a transmission runner, to receive injection-molding melt. The movable mold component has a molding groove communicated with the transmission runner. The first positive electrode module and the first negative electrode module are disposed on a first side and a second side of the molding groove respectively, where the first side and the second side are opposite to each other. The first positive electrode module cooperates with the first negative electrode module to form an electric field between the first side and the second side of the molding groove, to perform electric field excitation on the injection-molding melt flowing into the molding groove.

Abstract: A high temperature piezoelectric sensor device such as a high temperature accelerometer, force sensor, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, acoustic sensor and/or acoustic transducer for use at temperatures up to 1000° C. The high temperature device includes a base, a piezoelectric element attached to the base and a pair of electrodes in electrical communication with the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element can have a d15 piezoelectric coefficient between 16.0-18.0 pC/N for all temperatures between 25 to 700° C., and a rotated d33 piezoelectric coefficient of 8.0-9.5 pC/N with zero face shear/thickness shear piezoelectric coefficients d34. d35 and d36 in the same temperature range. The piezoelectric element can also have an electromechanical coupling factor k15 variation of less than 7%, and d15 and rotated d33 piezoelectric coefficient variations of less than 5% for temperatures between 25 to 700° C.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for altering the characteristics of a membrane comprising a dielectric material. The method comprises heating the membrane and applying an electric field in a direction out of the plane of the membrane to at least a portion of the dielectric material. At least a portion of the dielectric material becomes aligned with the applied electric field. In some embodiments, the membrane is piezoelectric and application of an electric signal to the membrane causes out of plane movement of the membrane. Also disclosed are membranes and systems and apparatuses comprising such membranes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are utilized to transiently implement diamagnetic behavior in both permanently and transiently magnetized particles.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of polarizing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric film without metalized electrode includes providing a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric film that is stretched into ? phase; providing two glass substrates having an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer respectively, wherein the PVDF piezoelectric film is located between the two glass substrates, and the two ITO layers are coated located separately on top of and below the PVDF piezoelectric film; and imposing a DC electric field onto two ITO layers, wherein the DC electric field of polarization is 400 to 900 kV/cm approximately.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to provide a dielectric film material with controllable coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A first compound containing a first liquid crystalline component is formed. The first compound is cast into a first film. The first film is oriented in an magnetic or electromagnetic field in a first direction. The first film is cured at a first temperature.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric composite solid hybrid material, includes: a solid dielectric matrix, a filler of at least one inorganic piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric material, wherein the filler includes filiform nanoparticles distributed throughout the volume of the solid dielectric matrix with an amount by volume of less than 50%, and in that the main directions of elongation of the filiform nanoparticles of the inorganic filler distributed in the dielectric matrix have a substantially isotropic distribution in the solid dielectric matrix.

Abstract: A piezoelectric polymer element such as a fibre or film is described, having a solid cross-section and a substantially homogeneous composition. A method of forming such a piezoelectric polymer element is also described. The method has the steps of extruding a polymer material and concurrently poling a region of the extruded material. Apparatus for forming such a piezoelectric polymer element is also described that comprises an extruder for extruding a polymer element from a granular feed and a pair of electrodes for applying an electric field across a region of the element concurrently with its extrusion. Also described is a piezoelectric construct having such piezoelectric polymer elements interposed between two conductive layers. A system for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy is described in which each of the piezoelectric construct's two conductive layers is connected to a respective terminal of a rectifying circuit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramics includes: placing, on a base material, a first slurry in which a metal oxide powder is dispersed; applying a magnetic field to the first slurry to solidify the first slurry, thereby forming an under coat layer made of a first compact; placing, on the under coat layer, a second slurry containing a metal oxide powder constituting the ceramics; applying a magnetic field to the second slurry to solidify the second slurry, thereby forming a second compact to obtain a laminated body of the second compact and the under coat layer; and obtaining the ceramics made of the second compact by removing the under coat layer from the laminated body of the second compact and the under coat layer and then sintering the second compact, or sintering the laminated body of the second compact and the under coat layer and then removing the under coat layer.

Abstract: A method of orienting microphase-separated domains is disclosed, comprising applying a composition comprising an orientation control component, and a block copolymer assembly component comprising a block copolymer having at least two microphase-separated domains in which the orientation control component is substantially immiscible with the block copolymer assembly component upon forming a film; and forming a compositionally vertically segregated film on the surface of the substrate from the composition. The orientation control component and block copolymer segregate during film forming to form the compositionally vertically-segregated film on the surface of a substrate, where the orientation control component is enriched adjacent to the surface of the compositionally segregated film adjacent to the surface of the substrate, and the block copolymer assembly is enriched at an air-surface interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitor film comprising a biaxially oriented polypropylene wherein a) said polypropylene has a draw ratio in machine direction of at least 4.0 and a draw ratio in transverse direction of at least 4.0, and b) said polypropylene has an electrical breakdown strength EB63% according to IEC 60243-part 1 (1988) of at least 300 kV/mm at a draw ratio in machine direction and in transverse direction of 4.0.

Abstract: The present invention refers to polymeric materials having hybrid characteristics, which are composed of a dispersion of organometallic monomers or oligomers of Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ge, V or Sn or mixture thereof, in a polymeric matrix. The articles prepared with these polymeric materials are characterized by the migration of said compounds to their surface, conferring improved soldability and surface properties.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer piezoelectric film, comprising: a process of moving and stretching a crystalline polar polymer sheet in contact with a conductive stretching roller having a diameter of at least 30 mm and a surface friction coefficient which has been reduced to such a level as to allow a relative displacement of the crystalline polar polymer sheet in contact with the conductive stretching roller: and a step in the process of applying a polarization voltage between an electrode disposed opposite to the crystalline polar polymer sheet and the conductive stretching roller to polarize the crystalline polar polymer sheet. As a result, it is possible to stably produce a polymer piezoelectric film exhibiting stable piezoelectricity over a large area. Especially, it is possible to obtain polymer piezoelectric film exhibiting a temperature-dispersion peak temperature of d31 piezoelectricity coefficient at least 120° C. and surface scratches extending in one direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an electret material, to a new class of electret materials and to a device comprising such electret materials.

Abstract: Laminar flow of a carrier liquid and polymeric molecules through micro-channels is used to straighten the polymeric molecules and attach the straightened molecules to a wall of the micro-channel for subsequent treatment and analysis. Micro-channels can be manufactured using an elastic molding material. One micro-channel embodiment provides fluid flow using a standard laboratory centrifuge.

Abstract: A voltage is applied on an interdigitated electrode provided on one main face of a single-domain ferroelectric single crystal substrate to form a periodic domain inversion structure, the interdigitated electrode is removed and the one main face of the substrate is machined to remove the surface region of the substrate to form a machined surface. The optical waveguide is then formed in the substrate.

Abstract: A process for producing an anisotropic magnetic material includes: preparing a feebly magnetic material capable of transforming into a magnetic material by a prescribed reaction, orienting the feebly magnetic material by imparting an external field to the feebly magnetic material, and transforming the oriented feebly magnetic material to a magnetic substance by the prescribed reaction.

Abstract: A voltage is applied on an interdigitated electrode provided on one main face of a single-domain ferroelectric single crystal substrate to form a periodic domain inversion structure. The interdigitated electrode is then removed. The optical waveguide is then formed in the substrate. An optical intensity center P1 of the optical waveguide is kept away from a location P0 of the end of the interdigitated electrode.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for synthesizing a conductive composite with enhanced electrical conductivity. The apparatus includes: an injection-molding machine which injection-molds pellets created by mixing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with polymers; and an electric field generator which applies an electric field to the pellets that are melted while the melted pellets are injection-molded and thus rearranges the CNTs included in a composite into which the melted pellets are injection-molded.

Abstract: A method including providing Au-doped Co nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include a combination of non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles and weakly ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles each have an exterior surface. The surfaces of the nanoparticles are functionalized with 7-(5-uracil-ylcarbamoyl)heptanoic acid. A polymer is provided having a general formula including a uracil group. A dispersion is formed by agitating a solution of the nanoparticles. The solution is spin cast into a film. The film is heated under vacuum at a first temperature, TFM, resulting in inducing ferromagnetism in the non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles and converting the non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles to ferromagnetic nanoparticles, and resulting in enhancing ferromagnetism in the weakly ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are aligned such that magnetic easy axes of the nanoparticles are oriented by applying a magnetic field to the dispersion while at a second temperature less than TFM.

Abstract: A method of poling a ferroelectric sample suitable for use in a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising providing a ferroelectric sample having a stack of ferroelectric layers, wherein adjacent layers are separated by internal electrodes, forming a first group and a second group of electrodes; applying a multiaxial pressure to the ferroelectric sample; and generating an electric field between the first and second group of electrodes to pole the ferroelectric sample. The multiaxial pressure is ideally applied by means of a fluid, and the fluid may be an dielectric fluid or fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing electric microcontact printing is provided. A stamp is brought into contact with the surface of a substrate to provide high resolution features. Aspects of the invention may be used for data storage, microcontact printing, and for other applications requiring high resolution pattern transfer.

Abstract: A method of orienting microphase-separated domains is disclosed, comprising applying a composition comprising an orientation control component, and a block copolymer assembly component comprising a block copolymer having at least two microphase-separated domains in which the orientation control component is substantially immiscible with the block copolymer assembly component upon forming a film; and forming a compositionally vertically segregated film on the surface of the substrate from the composition. The orientation control component and block copolymer segregate during film forming to form the compositionally vertically-segregated film on the surface of a substrate, where the orientation control component is enriched adjacent to the surface of the compositionally segregated film adjacent to the surface of the substrate, and the block copolymer assembly is enriched at an air-surface interface.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to provide a dielectric film material with a controllable coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A first compound containing a first liquid crystalline component is formed. The first compound is cast into a first film. The first film is oriented in an magnetic or electromagnetic field in a first direction. The first film is cured at a first temperature.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for synthesizing a conductive composite with enhanced electrical conductivity. The apparatus includes: an injection-molding machine which injection-molds pellets created by mixing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with polymers; and an electric field generator which applies an electric field to the pellets that are melted while the melted pellets are injection-molded and thus rearranges the CNTs included in a composite into which the melted pellets are injection-molded.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a polymeric implantable medical device using gel extrusion of high molecular weight polymers or charge-induced orientation to avoid heat degradation of the polymer that might occur during conventional heat extrusion.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material and a method of forming a thermoelectric material are provided. The method of forming a thermoelectric material includes providing at least one compound fabricated by a first technique and having a first power factor and a first thermal conductivity. The method further includes modifying a spatial structure of the at least one compound by a second technique different from the first technique. The modified at least one compound has a plurality of portions separated from one another by a plurality of boundaries. The plurality of portions include one or more portions having a second power factor not less than the first power factor, and the modified at least one compound has a second thermal conductivity less than the first thermal conductivity.

Abstract: In various embodiments, chromophores are described that include novel election acceptors, novel electron donors, and/or novel conjugated bridges that are useful in nonlinear optical applications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides chromophore architectures wherein a chromophore contains more than one electron acceptor in electronic communication with a single election donor, and/or more than one electron donor in electronic communication with a single electron acceptor. Also described is processes for providing materials comprising the novel chromophores and polymer matrices containing the novel chromophores. Electro-optic devices described herein contain one or more of the described electron acceptors, electron donors, conjugated bridges, or chromophores.

Abstract: A method. The method includes providing Au-doped Co nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include a combination of non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles and weakly ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles each have an exterior surface. The surfaces of the nanoparticles are functionalized with 7-(5-uracil-ylcarbamoyl)heptanoic acid. A polymer is provided having a general formula including a uracil group. A dispersion is formed by agitating a solution of the nanoparticles. The solution is spin cast into a film. The film is heated under vacuum at a first temperature, TFM, resulting in inducing ferromagnetism in the non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles and converting the non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles to ferromagnetic nanoparticles, and resulting in enhancing ferromagnetism in the weakly ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are aligned such that magnetic easy axes of the nanoparticles are oriented by applying a magnetic field to the dispersion while at a second temperature less than TFM.

Abstract: In a preparation method, a chiral or cholesteric liquid crystal, a photoreactive monomer, and a photoinitiator are disposed in a liquid crystal cell. A principal surface of the liquid crystal cell is illuminated with ultraviolet light selected to have a non-uniform ultraviolet light intensity profile in the liquid crystal cell. The illuminating cooperates with the photoinitiator to polymerize at least a portion of the photoreactive monomer near the principal surface to generate a polymer network having a density corresponding to the non-uniform ultraviolet light intensity profile. The polymer network biases the liquid crystal toward a selected helical alignment direction. In some embodiments, the illuminating includes illuminating with first and second ultraviolet light intensity profiles to produce surface and volume polymer network components.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte membrane formed of an ion conductive composition. Said composition contains a liquid crystalline polymer having an ionic dissociative group. Molecular chains of the liquid crystalline polymer are orientated in a specific direction. The degree of orientation ? of the liquid crystalline polymer is in a range of 0.45 or more and less than 1, as defined by equation (1) as follows, Degree of orientation ?=(180???)/180??(1), wherein ?? is a full width at half maximum of a peak in an X-ray diffraction intensity distribution pattern obtained by measuring an intensity distribution from 0 to 360 degrees in the azimuthal angle direction, at a peak scattering angle, in an X-ray diffraction image of the electrolyte membrane. Ionic conductivity in a thickness direction of the membrane is higher than the ionic conductivity in a direction parallel to a surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A method for preparing a poled structure by using double-sided electrodes to perform a poling process first provides a ferroelectric substrate with a first polarization direction having a top surface and a bottom surface. Fabrication processes are then performed to form an electrode structure including a first electrode and a second electrode on the top surface and a third electrode in a portion of the bottom surface between the first electrode and the second electrode. Subsequently, a poling process is performed on the electrode structure to form a plurality of inverted domains having a second polarization direction in the ferroelectric substrate, and the second polarization direction is substantially opposite to the first polarization direction.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetic coder device, the method being of the type consisting in making a mixture of ferromagnetic particles or ferrites in a matrix, in molding the matrix, and in subjecting the molded matrix to a magnetic field so as to obtain a continuous alternation of north and south magnetic poles, which method consists in using a matrix having viscosity that is sufficiently low to enable the ferrites to migrate, in applying a magnetic field during the molding operation while maintaining the matrix at a given temperature in order to reduce its viscosity and thereby making it easier to cause the ferromagnetic particles to migrate and become oriented in their direction of easy magnetization, and to obtain discontinuous shapes having high particle concentration, and in suddenly cooling the matrix while the magnetic field is maintained so as to freeze the particles in the matrix.

Abstract: The performance of an electrolyte membrane (21) is improved by imparting aeolotropy to physical properties of the electrolyte membrane (21). A first state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) containing a polymer having an ion-exchange group is softened, melted of dissolved, whereby a second state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) is formed. Then, the second state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) is cooled, while a strong magnetic field is applied to the second state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) in a predetermined direction, whereby the second state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) is hardened or solidified. As a result, the ion-conductivity in a membrane thickness direction can be improved in a fluorinated electrolyte membrane, and swelling in the membrane surface direction can be suppressed in an aromatic hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: The invention reports a new film of the beta phase of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its processing for the elimination of porosity, using a compression force along the thickness direction of the sample at a high temperature. The join action of the compression force and the temperature eliminates the porosity of the PVDF beta phase, improving its mechanical (Young's modulus, yielding and breaking stress, yielding and breaking strain), electrical (dielectric constant, electric rupture) and electromechanical properties (electromechanical coupling, piezoelectric coefficients) and, therefore, the use of the material in technological applications.

Abstract: The proton conducting capability of a proton exchange membrane is improved where the polymeric membrane material has a continuous non-ionic phase which provides the molecular backbone of the membrane and ionic phase clusters which provide the basis for proton exchange when the membrane is infiltrated with water or the like. In the formation of the membrane, the polymeric material is placed in a state in which the polymer chain segments are mobile and the ionic phase portions are aligned by application of an alternating electric field applied transverse or normal to the surfaces of the membrane. The aligned ionic phase increases the conductivity of the membrane in the direction through its thickness.

Abstract: Medical balloons are energetically treated to form regions that facilitate deflation to a desirable configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a novel biaxially oriented film having a high diffraction of light, and flexibility. In particular, the invention disclosed provides a method for making an opaque impact copolymer film by stretching in two dimensions an impact polypropylene copolymer. The invention is disclosed to be useful for making a material particularly suitable for a variety of applications including labeling media, food packaging and laminates. Also disclosed is a multilayer film having a first impact polypropylene copolymer layer and a second layer of another polymer wherein the multilayer film has significantly reduced haze. Also disclosed is film produced with a filler that has increased porosity and flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparation of semi-conducting polymer film containing beta crystalline phase of polyvinylidene fluoride which have a large number of application in piezoelectric devices viz. electromechanical sensors, tactile sensors for robotics, touch sensitive switches etc, which can be made at low temperatures and at low electric fields and having low resistivity/semi-conducting range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing optical information storage media and multi-layered optical information storage media. Paired information storage structures have characteristic wavelength and polarization states, and from which recorded information can be read by a laser beam having similar wavelength and polarization-state characteristics.