Abstract: A tumbler including: an outer shell; an inner shell nested with the outer shell; a base; and a light source assembly; wherein: an outer surface of inner shell includes a reflective material; the outer shell includes one or more areas that are transparent or translucent; the bottom of the outer shell connects to the base, the top of the outer shell connects to the top of the inner shell, and the inner shell tapers more than the outer shell for at least a part along the length from the top to the bottom, creating a space between the inner shell and outer shell; the light source assembly emits lights into the space and the light is reflected by the reflective material to go out of the outer shell from the one or more areas that are transparent or translucent.

Abstract: A piezoelectric power generation device comprises a power generation element which includes a support body having a plate-like planar portion with first and second opposed main surfaces and a projecting portion projecting from a center portion of the second main surface. The first projecting portion has an outer periphery when seen in plan view along a direction perpendicular to the first main surface. A piezoelectric body is provided on the first surface and overlaps the first projecting portion when the first support body is seen in plan view along a direction perpendicular to the first main surface. A plurality of legs extend from the plate like planar portion away from the piezoelectric body. The legs are located radially outward of the periphery of the first projecting portion when the first support body is seen in plan view along a direction perpendicular to the first main surface.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to array and utilize piezoelectric generators. It is also an object of the invention to implement properly configured piezoelectric generators into applications that can recapture expelled kinetic energy that is otherwise wasted. Particularly, piezoelectric generators, or arrays, may be, for example, placed in shoes, clothing, tires, roads, and sidewalks in order to recapture the energy expelled in everyday human activities (e.g., walking, moving, and driving).

Abstract: A device for wirelessly monitoring well conditions includes a power including a first material attached to edges of at least one lever suspended about a central fulcrum, wherein the edges of the at least one lever are free to move about the central fulcrum, a frictionless movable object disposed inside the body of the at least one lever, wherein the frictionless movable object is free to move within the body of the at least one lever, and a second material that is fixed in position relative to the first material, wherein the first material and second material are of opposite polarities.

Abstract: A compact magnetic-based battery device that offers energy, a large number of cycles, a long storage time, and a short charging time is provided. The rechargeable battery device can include a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a dielectric layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and a plurality of high anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles embedded into the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for fabricating a piezoelectric nanogenerator, to a piezoelectric nanogenerator obtained by this process and to a device including such a piezoelectric nanogenerator connected to a capacitor, said process comprising the following steps: a) providing a membrane (100) made of polarised ?-PVDF or polarised P(VDF-TrFe) copolymer and therefore having piezoelectric properties, said membrane (100) moreover having two external major faces (11, 12) that are separated by a membrane thickness (e); b) irradiating the entirety of the thickness of said membrane (100), via at least one of its two external major faces (11, 12), with heavy ions having a fluence of between 103 ions/cm2 and 1010 ions/cm2, as a result of which a membrane (101) containing latent traces (TL) of the passage of the heavy ions through the entirety of its thickness is obtained; c) revealing the latent traces (TL) using a chemical process of length that is preset so as to preserve a defect zone (ZD) belonging to the l

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric vibrating piece, a container, and a lid. The piezoelectric vibrating piece is bevel processed and has a bevel surface at one end of the piezoelectric vibrating piece. Thea container holds the piezoelectric vibrating piece with the bevel surface at the one end of the piezoelectric vibrating piece. The container has a connection pad at a holding region of the container and a pillow portion at a region corresponding to the other end of the piezoelectric vibrating piece. The lid member seals the container. The connection pad is buried in the container at the holding region in a state of a flat surface with a surface of the container and in a state where the surface of the connection pad is exposed. The piezoelectric vibrating piece is spanned between the surface of the connection pad and a top surface of the pillow portion.

Abstract: Provided are a touch sensitive element and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method for the touch sensitive element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes forming an electroactive polymer coating layer by applying an electroactive polymer solution on a substrate; forming an electroactive layer by heating and pressurizing the electroactive polymer coating layer using a hot press roller; and forming an electrode on the electroactive layer.

Abstract: Appliances, methods, and systems (e.g., utilities) for use in analyzing received pressure waves to obtain and deduce various types of meaningful information therefrom (e.g., testing operation of an acoustic device that generates beams of acoustic energy). A pressure sensor in the disclosed system makes use of a piezoelectric layer or film (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)) that has been substantially uniformly poled prior to interconnection with electrodes that are configured to send electrical signals to a controller or the like for generation of a dynamic, image (e.g., 2D) representing the received pressure waves. Among other advantages, the disclosed system leverages excellent economy of scale, can be configured in different arrangements with reduced cost, and limits the need for adapters or reverse engineering (e.g., as it can operate independently of the design of a probe or system under test.

Abstract: A first acquisition unit acquires first data on first malfunction of a robot. A second acquisition unit acquires second data on second malfunction of the robot. A first determination unit determines whether or not to store the first data in accordance with the first data. A second determination unit determines whether or not to store the second data in accordance with the second data. A memory stores the first data and the second data. A controller stores the first data in the memory at a first period when the first determination unit determines to store the first data. The controller further stores the second data in the memory at a second period longer than the first period, when the first determination unit determines not to store the first data and the second determination unit determines to store the second data.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to measure electromagnetic radiation coupled from an image sensor integrated circuit (IC) to a nearby cell phone antenna has an image sensor PCB with the image sensor IC on a first side and image sensor decoupling capacitors disposed on a second side, the image sensor PCB disposed within a shielding box. The apparatus also has an image processor PCB with an image processor IC on a first side and at least one image processor decoupling capacitors, the image processor IC electrically coupled to the image sensor IC. The image processor IC is located outside the shielding box, and the at least one image processor decoupling capacitor is within the shielding box. In embodiments, the decoupling capacitors are shielded with separate, additional, metal covers.

Abstract: A system that may be used for energy harvesting includes a flexible beam secured between a first support and a second support. The supports are spaced apart at a distance less than a length of the flexible beam such that the beam is buckled. Responsive to external vibrations the flexible beam switches between a first position and a second position. A magnetic proof mass is coupled to the flexible beam at the beam's midpoint. At least one permanent magnet is positioned proximate to the magnetic proof mass and has the same polarity. The permanent magnet is positioned to expose the magnetic proof mass to a repulsive force when the magnetic proof mass is located at both the first position and the second position. Piezoelectric transducers are located above and below the first and second positions of the flexible beam to harvest energy.

Abstract: A sensor includes a plurality of elements and an insulating layer. The plurality of elements is deformable to generate power. The insulating layer is interposed between the plurality of elements. Each of the plurality of elements includes a pair of electrodes and an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is disposed between the pair of electrodes and formed of one of a rubber and a rubber composition.

Abstract: A conductive pad for pain relieving and muscle training, comprises an electrode sheet electrically connected to a control unit and a conductive gel for attaching onto the human body. The conductive gel is added with a substance for pain relieving and muscle training, which is capsaicin, menthol, lidocaine, or other substitutes in an amount of 0.001% to 30% by mass. This invention has the function of increasing the blood circulation/local anesthesia by adding capsaicin, menthol, lidocaine, or other substitutes to the conductive gel, and has the effect of pain relieving and muscle training. The conductive pad that is made of the above described conductive gel can be used alone, and also be used with all of the TENS/EMS units in the market, offering a wide range of application. In addition, this invention does not require the additional heating source, simplifies the structure, and greatly reduces the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A micromechanical sound transducer system includes a substrate that includes (a) a cavity with a cavity edge area, (b) a front side, and (c) a rear side; a piezoelectric vibrating beam that is elastically suspended on the front side and that extends across the cavity; and, for the piezoelectric vibrating beam, a respective deflection limiting device that is on a front edge area of the respective vibrating beam and that is configured to limit a deflection of the respective vibrating beam to a limiting deflection by causing the respective front edge area of the respective vibrating beam to interact with the cavity edge area or an opposing front edge area of another vibrating beam.

Abstract: An exemplary energy harvester includes a piezoelectric diaphragm, an eccentric mass that rotates in response to external motion, and a piezoelectric stress inducer coupled with the eccentric mass and the piezoelectric diaphragm. The piezoelectric stress inducer deforms the piezoelectric diaphragm in response to rotational motion of the eccentric mass, causing the piezoelectric diaphragm to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A drive signal generating apparatus includes a transducer configured to convert electromagnetic energy of a signal received through a first port into a different type of energy, convert the different type of energy into electromagnetic energy, and transfer the converted electromagnetic energy to a second port, and a switching circuit configured to perform a gate switching operation, upon receiving a signal from the second port, to generate a drive signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a piezoelectric element and a mechanical energy storage unit. The mechanical energy storage unit can be configured to receive a force and store the force as stored mechanical energy. The apparatus further comprises a mass configured to receive the stored mechanical energy from the mechanical energy storage unit when the stored mechanical energy is released, move with a velocity as a result of receiving the stored mechanical energy, and deform the piezoelectric element based on the velocity of the mass.

Abstract: A magnetic energy harvesting and scavenging circuit includes a first substrate having first and second surfaces and at least one energy harvesting and scavenging coil formed adjacent the first surface. An electromechanical systems device includes a moveable mass extending over the first surface and is displaced relative to the first substrate in three dimensions responsive to an external force applied to the moveable mass. The movable mass includes a magnet support layer and a number of permanent magnet segments attached to the magnet support layer. The permanent magnet segments are magnetically coupled to the at least one energy harvesting and scavenging coil. Energy harvesting and scavenging circuitry is electrically coupled to the at least one energy harvesting and scavenging coil and generates electrical energy due to magnetic flux variation through the at least one energy harvesting and scavenging coil responsive to movement of the moveable mass.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a mass resiliently connected to a body by a biasing device and adapted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body with an oscillation amplitude, a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy, and a resilient device disposed between the biasing device and one of the mass and the body, wherein the resilient device is configured to be deformed between the biasing device and the one of the mass and the body only when the oscillation amplitude exceeds a predetermined non-zero threshold amplitude. The resilient device may comprise one of a helical spring, an O-ring and a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer, a curved disc spring, a wave washer, and a split washer.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for harvesting energy in response to application of an external force. The energy harvesting system comprises a beam member having a central member and at least one piezoelectric layer joined to the central member for deflection therewith. The beam member includes opposing first and second ends and is elastically deformable in response to application of the external force. A first mount couples the first end of the beam member and is generally stationary. A second mount couples the second end of the beam member. The second mount and the second end of the beam member are generally moveable in response to application of the external force between a first position and a second position, thereby outputting energy from the at least one piezoelectric layer in response to the movement from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A reticulated resonator includes: a reticulated substrate that includes: a substrate frame; and a phononic structure in mechanical communication with the substrate frame and including a plurality of unit members arranged in a two-dimensional array; and a membrane disposed on the reticulated substrate.

Abstract: A wireless mouse is disclosed. The wireless mouse includes: a mouse housing, and an electric generating device mounted in the mouse housing; wherein the electric generating device includes: a first rotation shaft mounted pivotably in the mouse housing, an eccentric wheel and a first annular conductor fixed on the first rotation shaft, and a first magnet fixed in the mouse housing, wherein the first annular conductor is arranged in a magnet field generated by the first magnet, and is configured such that magnetic flux through an annular section of the first annular conductor changes when the first rotation shaft drives the first annular conductor to rotate. The wireless mouse provided by the present disclosure is used to input operation information to a computer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a mass resiliently connected to a body by a biasing device and adapted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body with an oscillation amplitude, a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy, and a resilient device disposed between the biasing device and one of the mass and the body, wherein the resilient device is configured to be deformed between the biasing device and the one of the mass and the body only when the oscillation amplitude exceeds a predetermined non-zero threshold amplitude. The resilient device may comprise one of a helical spring, an O-ring and a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer, a curved disc spring, a wave washer, and a split washer.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices and methods for generating electricity, transforming voltages and generating motion using one or more piezoelectric elements operably coupled to one or more non-piezoelectric resonating elements. In one embodiment, a non-piezoelectric resonating element is configured to oscillate and dissipate mechanical energy into a piezoelectric element, which converts a portion of such mechanical energy into electricity and therefore acts as a generator. In another embodiment, a piezoelectric element is configured to drive one or more mechanical elements operably coupled to the one or more non-piezoelectric resonating elements, and therefore acts as a motor. In still another embodiment, a piezoelectric element is operably coupled to a non-piezoelectric resonating element to form an electrical transformer.

Abstract: An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising three non-movable contacts, an actuator and two movable contacts. The switch further including a switching chamber to provide a self-contained environment that may consist of a high-pressure gas or a vacuum and one or more precision adjustment screws coupled to the non-movable contacts for adjusting the contact pressure. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

Abstract: An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising two non-movable contacts connected to electrical feedthroughs, one actuator and one movable contact. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graphene enhanced piezoelectric article of manufacture, system and method of energy generation electrical energy and an electrical charge obtained from environmental motion forces present in the environment that may be collected and stored. The graphene enhanced piezoelectric generator device is configured to utilize a supersatuatrated liquid solution enhanced with graphene to interact with piezoelectric material to generate the electrical charge to provide a self-powered system. The combination of solid graphene in a liquid suspension with piezoelectric materials, an enclosure forming a biodegradable housing, an agitator disposed in the enclosure for interacting with the liquid solution to create mechanical stress, and an electrical circuit using a capacitor has been designed with application in generation of renewable energy for use using mechanical motion from sources in nature available to such person.

Abstract: An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising three non-movable contacts, an actuator and two movable contacts. The switch further including one or more precision adjustment screws coupled to the non-movable contacts for adjusting the contact pressure. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

Abstract: An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising three non-movable contacts, an actuator, two movable contacts and a first and second mounting plate forming an elliptical shell configuration about said actuator. The switch further including a switching chamber to provide a self-contained environment that may consist of a high-pressure gas or a vacuum and one or more precision adjustment screws coupled to the non-movable contacts for adjusting the contact pressure. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controllably growing ZnO nanowires, for example to be used in relation to field emission lighting. In particular, the invention relates to a method of controlling thermal oxidation conditions to achieve steady-state conditions between an oxygen consumption rate by a growing oxide on a surface of a structure and the decomposition rate of the oxygen-carrying species within the chamber. The invention also relates to a corresponding field emission cathode.

Abstract: The described technology relates to an energy conversion device using a liquid, and an electrode laminate structure energy conversion apparatus using a liquid. The device includes a substrate, a first electrode formed on the substrate, and an energy conversion layer formed on the first electrode so as to cover the first electrode. The device also includes a second electrode formed on the first energy conversion layer and of which a contact state with the liquid is changed according to a movement or a state change of the liquid. An electric energy generation device having an excellent integration characteristic can be implemented by a form of the electrode structure, a device can be miniaturized by a vertical electrode structure, and a high-efficiency energy conversion device can be implemented by generating various voltages according to the number of upper electrodes and the number of lower electrodes.

Abstract: To provide an electric generating element including a first electrode; an intermediate layer; and a second electrode, the first electrode, the intermediate layer, and the second electrode being disposed in this order, the intermediate layer being in contact with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the intermediate layer microscopically moves in a horizontal direction relative to a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode, when the intermediate layer is pressed in a vertical direction relative to the surface of the first electrode and the surface of the second electrode in a state that the intermediate layer is not secured with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A touch sensor assembly may include a sensor housing disposed at a bottom surface of an exterior member of a household appliance in which an operation unit on which a user touches is formed; a sensor PCB which is provided inside the sensor housing and has a top surface on which a copper coating or film is formed; a touch sensor, the touch sensor including: a metal plate having a bottom surface in contact with the copper coating or film; and a ceramic element installed on a top surface of the metal plate; a spacer in which a sensor hole is formed at a position corresponding to the sensor and which has a bottom surface attached to a surface of the copper coating or film; a conductive foil attached to a top surface of the spacer and having a bottom surface on which an inner guide line which applies an electric current to the ceramic element and an outer guide line which applies an electric current to the metal plate are printed; and a contact portion formed to protrude from a top surface of the conductive foil c

Abstract: A timepiece movement includes: a barrel wheel; a ratchet wheel; a rotary weight; a transmission wheel that causes the ratchet wheel to rotate; a pawl lever that engages with the transmission wheel, is interlocked with the rotary weight, and performs forward/backward movement in directions of approaching and moving away from the transmission wheel; a base panel; and a wheel train bearing provided between the base panel and the rotary weight. The pawl lever and the transmission wheel are positioned between the base panel and the wheel train bearing. The transmission wheel is pivotally supported by the wheel train bearing. The wheel train bearing is provided with a release portion for releasing the pawl lever and the transmission wheel from engagement therebetween by moving the pawl lever.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical footswitch, comprising a base, a pedal mounted to the base, and a variable air capacitor mechanically coupled to the pedal, such that movement of the pedal is operative to vary the capacitance of the variable air capacitor. The footswitch further comprises a capacitance-sensing controller circuit electrically connected to the variable air capacitor and configured to measure a capacitance of the variable air capacitor and to produce a control signal based on the measured capacitance, such that the control signal reflects a position of the pedal or a change in the position of the pedal, and a wireless interface electrically connected to the capacitance-sensing controller circuit and configured to wirelessly relay the control signal to a surgical console.

Abstract: A roll of interlayer, suitable for laying between layers of pavement, the roll of interlayer includes at least one layer of interlayer material, a plurality of piezoelectric elements; at least one transmission line coupled to the plurality of piezoelectric elements for transmitting power generated by the plurality of piezoelectric elements to an output. The interlayer is in the form of an elongate, flexible sheet.

Abstract: A device for communicating and monitoring railway tracks includes a plurality of communicating and monitoring terminals arranged along the tracks. Each of the terminals includes an image-capturing module, a wireless communicating module that allows for communication between the terminals and with a train, and a module for storing electrical power continuously supplying the image-capturing module and the communicating module. Each terminal also includes a power-generating module for supplying the module for storing electrical power. The power generating module recovers energy from the air displaced by the train running over the railway track. The device permits permanent monitoring by capturing images and makes permanent wireless connections available to the trains.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bistable piezoelectric cantilever-based vibration energy harvester that increases the energy harvested over a broad frequency of vibrations by introducing bistability to the cantilever through use of two repelling magnets, one mounted on the cantilever and one at a location facing the first. This increases the amplitude and velocity of cantilever vibration, hence harvested power, while nonlinearity makes the system efficient over almost the entire range of frequencies, lower than the natural resonant frequency of the linear version without the magnets. Such improved performance is seen while the cantilever remains in the bistable mode.

Abstract: A power generating tile assembly includes a tile cover plate that is coupled to a rigid base plate to define an interior region therebetween. The tile cover plate vibrates in response to either sounds waves contacting the tile cover plate or an external force being applied to the tile cover plate. The power generating tile assembly includes a vibrationally-activated power generating device that is coupled to the tile cover plate within the interior region. The vibrationally-activated power generating device generates a first voltage in response to vibrations in the tile cover plate.

Abstract: An ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch that is simple, compact, does not require high energy to operate, ultralow loss, clean, and capable of being automatically reset. The invention includes a fast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism integrated into the switching chamber. The integration of the drive mechanism into the switching chamber provides faster contact travel and therefore a faster switching operation. Additionally, the switching chamber is a self-contained environment that may consist of a high-pressure gas or a vacuum. The invention further includes an ultrafast disconnect switch. The invention generally is an integrated piezoelectric-actuator-based mechanical switching mechanism. The mechanism has a central piezoelectric actuator that extends to pull contacts inwards in order to obtain two disconnects within a millisecond or less. Surrounding the piezoelectric actuator is a polymer insulating shell and beyond the shell is the metallic conductor.

Abstract: A converter including a first transducer that can lengthen inside at least a first deformation zone and simultaneously shrink inside at least a different second deformation zone. Inner faces of second and third electromechanical transducers are secured respectively, with no degree of freedom, substantially to the first and second deformation zones of the layer of the first transducer. The third transducer differs from the second transducer by the polarization of its layer of piezoelectric material in a different direction to polarization of the layer of piezoelectric material of the second transducer and/or by existence of a separation that mechanically and electrically insulates a first electrode of the third transducer from a first electrode of the second transducer located on a same side of the layer of piezoelectric material.

Abstract: The power generation efficiency is to be enhanced by converting vibration energy including various direction components into electric energy without waste. A cantilever structure is adopted, in which a first plate-like bridge portion (120) and a second plate-like bridge portion (130) extend in a shape of a letter U from a fixing-portion (110) fixed to the device housing (200) and a weight body (150) is connected to the end. On the upper surface of the cantilever structure, a common lower layer electrode (E00), a layered piezoelectric element (300) and discrete upper layer electrodes (Ex1 to Ez4) are formed. The upper layer electrodes (Ez1 to Ez4) disposed on a center line (Lx, Ly) of each plate-like bridge portion take out charge generated in the piezoelectric element (300) due to deflection caused by the Z-axis direction vibration of the weight body (150).

Abstract: An energy-generating apparatus includes at least one magnetic field-generating apparatus configured to at least intermittently generate a magnetic field that varies over time. The energy-generating apparatus also includes at least one magnetic field interaction means and at least one energy-generating apparatus designed as a piezo element device.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy includes a thermal source, an electric field source, a stress source, a piezoelectric component, and a cycle controller coupled to the thermal source, the electric field source, and the stress source. The cycle controller provides control signals to the thermal source, the electric field source, and the stress source to repeatedly cycle the piezoelectric component through the sequence: (a) application of: a first temperature, a first electric field, and a first stress; (b) application of: the first temperature, a second electric field greater than the first electric field, and the first stress; (c) application of: a second temperature, the second electric field, and a second stress greater than the first stress; and (d) application of: the second temperature, the first electric field, and the second stress.

Abstract: There is provided an electric energy generator system comprising: an ultrasonic-wave emission device configured to generate an ultrasonic-wave and emit the ultrasonic-wave; and an electric energy generator device configured to generate an electric energy upon a receipt of the emitted ultrasonic-wave.

Abstract: Provided is a method for separating a nanogenerator, which includes laminating a buffer layer on a sacrificial substrate, making a nanogenerator on the buffer layer, laminating a metal layer on the nanogenerator and separating the nanogenerator from the buffer layer. Here, a nanogenerator is separated by using a stress difference between the sacrificial substrate and the metal layer, instead of an existing method in which a nanogenerator is separated from the sacrificial substrate by means of wet etching or the like. In particular, according to a difference between a tensile stress at the metal layer such as nickel and a compressive stress at the lower silicon substrate, the nanogenerator is intactly separated from the silicon oxide layer serving as a buffer layer. Therefore, the nanogenerator may be separated from the sacrificial substrate in a mechanical way, which is safer and more economic in comparison to an existing chemical separation method using an etching solution.

Abstract: A device for harvesting energy from a fluidic flow, including a flexible structure formed by: a base layer; a conductive layer, made of a conductive material and laid on the base layer; and a piezoelectric layer, made of a piezoelectric material and laid on the conductive layer. The base layer, the conductive layer, and the piezoelectric layer form a crystalline structure including a plurality of pseudomorphic portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric force sensor (1) comprising a housing (10) having at least one piezoelectric body (11) and an electrode (12) electrically connected to said body (11), wherein a connection device (13) for forwarding measurement signals having a contact pin (131) is fastened or molded on the housing (10). The contact pin (131) is connected to the electrode (12) in an electrically conductive manner. According to the invention, a helical compression spring (14) is electrically conductively connected to the contact pin (131) as an electrical connection within the piezoelectric force sensor (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for converting wave energy into electrical energy including a float element excited at a defined frequency by the waves. A power extraction system collaborates with the float element to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, the mechanical energy coming from the movement of the float element excited by the waves. The power extraction system takes the form of a frequency amplifier made up of at least two piezoelectric motors each composed of at least one piezoelectric post excited at a frequency higher than that of the float, and a member for activating said piezoelectric motors acting on the piezoelectric motors so as to squash said piezoelectric posts. Each piezoelectric motor has a mechanical amplification device connected to rollers and includes a) jaws able to apply mechanical stress to the posts, b) a lever acting on the jaws with a proximal end connected to said jaws and a distal end connected to a roller in contact with the member so as to activate said piezoelectric motor.