Abstract: The present application relates to stacked piezoelectric energy harvesters that include compliant layers between piezoelectric layers. The energy harvesters are useful in various structures and devices, including tissue-stimulating implants, such as spinal fusion implants. The present application also relates to methods of increasing the power output of a piezoelectric energy harvester through the inclusion of compliant layers.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric element capable of preventing the occurrence of poor connection to an electrode layer.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric ceramic is such that: its piezoelectric ceramic layers do not contain lead as a constituent element, and have a perovskite compound expressed by the composition formula LixNayK1-x-yNbO3 (where 0.02<x?0.1, 0.02<x+y?1), as the primary component; and the internal electrode layers are constituted by a metal containing silver by 80 percent by mass or more, and contain ceramic grains containing the same elements found in the primary component. The multilayer piezoelectric element has a long lifespan, and whose internal electrode layers have a high content percentage of silver.

Abstract: A resonance device that includes a MEMS substrate including a resonator, an upper lid, and a bonding portion bonding the MEMS substrate and the upper lid to seal a vibration space of the resonator. The bonding portion includes a eutectic layer containing a eutectic alloy as a main component thereof. The eutectic alloy is composed of a first metal containing aluminum as a main component thereof, a second metal of germanium or silicon, and a third metal of titanium or nickel.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave resonator includes: a first electrode; a piezoelectric layer disposed on at least a portion of the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer contains a dopant, and a value of [a thickness (nm) of the piezoelectric layer×a concentration (at %) of the dopant]/100 is less than or equal to 80.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element comprising a compound represented by Formula 1, a piezoelectric device including the piezoelectric element, a vibration module including the piezoelectric device, and a display apparatus including the piezoelectric device are provided, where (1-x)(LizNa0.5-zK0.5)(Nb1-ySby)O3.xCaZrO3??[Formula 1] where x, y, and z have a range of 0.001?x?0.2, a range of 0?y?0.5, and a range of 0?z?0.2, respectively.

Abstract: A multilayer actuator includes multiple electrode layers of alternating polarity situated one on top of the other in the direction of a longitudinal axis, and dielectric layers situated between the electrode layers. The electrode layers of identical polarity each extend as far as, and are electrically connected to one another at least indirectly in, an edge area on one side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and end before the edge area on the opposite side.

Abstract: A programmable texture surface including one or more artificial muscles is provided. Each artificial muscle includes a housing having a first wall opposite a second wall and an electrode region adjacent an expandable fluid region. One or both of the first wall and the second wall include an interior tapered portion within the electrode region. A dielectric fluid is housed within the housing and an electrode pair is housed within the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode coupled to the first wall and a second electrode coupled to the second wall, such that at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is coupled to the interior tapered portion. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an actuator which includes at least the following: a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film being pre-stretched in a single or biaxial planar directions; at least one first semi-stiff conductor attached to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the first surface is parallel to the single or biaxial planar stretch directions; at least one second semi-stiff conductor attached to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface; where the semi-stiff conductors are configured to: fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state and allow the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; a pair of mechanical connectors coupled to each end of an active region of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.

Abstract: A resonator system is provided in which a combined overtone resonator device is excited with a two-dimensional mode of mechanical vibration in a cross sectional plane of a piezoelectric plate in response to an alternating voltage applied through an interdigitated electrode. The cross sectional plane extends along the width direction and the thickness direction, and the two-dimensional mode of mechanical vibration is a two-dimensional combined overtone mode of second and third order asymmetrical Lamb-wave overtones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder (5) for a piezoelectric component (1), having a clamping device (6) and two contact elements (8) which contain a conductive rubber material, wherein the clamping device (6) is designed to clamp the piezoelectric component (1) between the contact elements (8) in a closed state, and wherein the contact elements (8) are in electrical contact with the piezoelectric component (1) in the closed state of the clamping device (6).

Abstract: A MEMS resonator is described.

Abstract: A vibrator element includes a substrate that performs thickness-shear vibration, wherein an outer shape of the substrate in a plan view has a first side and a second side arranged in a first direction along a direction of the thickness-shear vibration and extending along a second direction crossing the first direction, a third side and a fourth side arranged in the second direction and extending in the first direction, a first connecting portion connecting the first side and the third side, and a second connecting portion connecting the first side and the fourth side, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are located inside of a region surrounded by the first side, the second side, the third side, the fourth side, and extension lines of these sides in the plan view, and the substrate has broken-off portions projecting from the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic electronic component is provided in which wet spreading of a metal bump material can be suppressed and a position of the metal bump can be controlled with high accuracy. The multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body having first and second main surfaces and first to fourth lateral surfaces between the main surfaces. Moreover, first and second opposing internal electrodes are provided inside the ceramic body and led out to one or more of the second lateral surfaces. A first electrode is provided on the first main surface and contains a ceramic material and a first external electrode that is connected to the first internal electrode, extends on the first electrode. In addition, a second external electrode is connected to the second internal electrode and extends onto the first main surface.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric element that expands and contracts in response to an applied voltage includes external electrodes disposed on surfaces of an element body, internal electrodes connected to the external electrodes, and piezoelectric layers laminated alternately with the internal electrodes. An electrode material used for the internal electrodes or the external electrodes contains a base material composed of Ag and Pd in a weight ratio of 60/40 to 85/15 and Pt in an amount of 0.1% to 10% by weight based on the weight of the base material. Also included is a piezoelectric actuator including the piezoelectric element and a piezoelectric transformer including the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: In one aspect, novel robust electroactive polymers (EAPs) is described, which contract and expand at low voltages to provide for a shape-morphing system, e.g., a prosthetic liner, and potentially entire prosthetic socket, to contract and expand in strategic areas as needed to maintain a comfortable and good fit throughout the day. In some embodiments, as the residual limb changes, these novel robust EAPs can change dynamically as needed to maintain a comfortable, snug fit of the prosthetic liner or socket with the hard shell of the prosthetic socket device. In some embodiments, the EAPs used in prosthetic liners or sockets can also be used to detect pressure as the device is being used, and automatically adjust to maintain fit through a control unit, so that the patient does not even have to stop and adjust his or her device as he or she goes about an active day.

Abstract: Devices and processes for preparing devices are described for reducing resonance of spurious waves in a bulk acoustic resonator. A first electrode is coupled to a first side of a piezoelectric layer and a second electrode is coupled to a second side of the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is configured to resonate in response to an electrical signal applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. Perforations in the first electrode, the piezoelectric layer and/or the second electrode, and/or posts or beams supporting the second electrode, reduce resonance of spurious waves.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter device includes: a first layer disposed on a substrate; an inter-digital transducer (IDT) electrode layer disposed on the first layer; a second layer covering the IDT electrode layer and the first layer; and an overlay layer covering the second layer, wherein the first layer includes any one or any combination of any two or more of a metal layer, a metal oxide layer, and an oxide layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device that includes a crystalline substrate and a patterned aluminum-based material layer disposed onto the crystalline substrate. The patterned aluminum-based material layer has a titanium-alloyed surface. A titanium-based material layer is disposed over select portions of the titanium-alloyed surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the patterned aluminum-based material layer forms a pair of interdigitated transducers to provide a surface wave acoustic (SAW) device. The SAW device of the present disclosure is usable to realize SAW-based filters for wireless communication equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric material not containing lead and potassium, showing satisfactory insulation and piezoelectricity, and having a high Curie temperature. The invention relates to a piezoelectric material includes a main component containing a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (wherein, 0.80?x?0.94 and 0.83?y?0.94), and an additive component containing at least one element selected from Mn and Ni, wherein the content of the Ni is 0 mol or more and 0.05 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, and the content of the Mn is 0 mol or more and 0.005 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide.

Abstract: A crystal resonator element 2 has excitation electrodes 23a, 23b formed on front and back main surfaces of a crystal resonator plate. Each of the excitation electrodes is made of a ternary alloy containing silver as a major component, a first additive, and a second additive. The first additive is a metal element having a lower sputtering yield than silver and being resistant to corrosion in an etching liquid. The second additive is an element for forming a solid solution with silver. Outer peripheries of the excitation electrodes are first additive-rich regions 9 in which the first additive is rich.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a substrate, a lower electrode disposed above the substrate, a lower bonding layer disposed on the lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer containing a piezoelectric material disposed on an upper surface of the lower bonding layer, and an upper electrode disposed above the piezoelectric layer. The lower bonding layer includes an electrode material portion containing an electrode material of the lower electrode and a piezoelectric material portion containing a piezoelectric material. The electrode material portion and the piezoelectric material portion interdigitate with each other in the lower bonding layer.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic resonator includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed above the substrate, a piezoelectric body disposed on the first electrode and including a plurality of piezoelectric layers each including aluminum nitride with a doping material, and a second electrode disposed on the piezoelectric body, where at least one of the piezoelectric layers is a compressive piezoelectric layer formed under compressive stress.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic that contains an alkali niobate compound as its main ingredient. The alkali niobate compound has a perovskite crystal structure represented by AmBO3 and contains an alkali metal. There exists Sn in part of site A, and Zr in part of site B. A radial distribution function obtained from a K-edge X-ray absorption spectrum of Sn has a first peak intensity P1 at a first distance from a Sn atom and a second peak intensity P2 at a second distance from the Sn atom. The second distance is greater than the first distance, and the peak intensity ratio P1/P2 is 2.7 or less.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric element which includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer which is formed on the first electrode by using a solution method, and is formed from a compound oxide having a perovskite structure in which potassium, sodium, and niobium are provided, and a second electrode which is provided on the piezoelectric layer. A cross-sectional SEM image of the piezoelectric layer is captured at a magnification of 100,000. When evaluation is performed under a condition in which a measured value in a transverse direction is set to 1,273 nm, two or more voids are included in the piezoelectric layer, a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value among diameters of the voids to be largest in a film thickness direction is equal to or smaller than 14 nm, and the maximum value is equal to or smaller than 24 nm.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film contains potassium sodium niobate represented by general formula (K1-xNax)NbO3 and CaTiO3, wherein the lattice spacing calculated from the diffraction peak of the (001) plane in an X-ray diffraction profile of the piezoelectric thin film is 3.975 ? or less, and the ratio I101/I001 of the diffraction peak intensity I101 of the (101) plane to the diffraction peak intensity I001 of the (001) plane in the X-ray diffraction profile of the piezoelectric thin film 3 satisfies the relationship log10(I101/I001)??2.10.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element has, from a substrate side, a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer containing a composite oxide of an ABO3 type perovskite structure containing Mg, and a second electrode, which are laminated, in which the first electrode includes a diffusion suppressing layer which suppresses diffusion of the Mg and a diffusion layer which diffuses the Mg as compared with the diffusion suppressing layer, and the diffusion suppressing layer is provided on the substrate side relative to the diffusion layer.

Abstract: A unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element is provided for generating autonomous renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured in a manner to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. Electric leads are provided to connect the energy harvesting element to a load to power the load with the energy harvesting element. An energy harvesting component is also provided that includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

Abstract: An actuator as a piezoelectric device has a bonding layer including titanium, a lower electrode including platinum, a piezoelectric thin film, and an upper electrode formed in this order on a substrate. Ti particles precipitate from the bonding layer onto the lower electrode. Pt that forms the lower electrode has a crystal grain size of 75 nm to 150 nm.

Abstract: An actuator capable of preventing occurrence of insulation breakdown while achieving an appropriate operation performance of a dielectric elastomer is provided. Electrode films to be bonded to a dielectric elastomer are formed such that a characteristic of a change in thickness d of the elastomer with an increase in an applied voltage of the elastomer shows a first voltage range in which a decline rate of to the increase in is high and a second voltage range, including a voltage higher than the first voltage range, in which the decline rate of d to the increase in is low, and a voltage value at which the insulation breakdown of the elastomer occurs falls within the second voltage range.

Abstract: A polymer actuator element includes an electrolyte layer and electrode layers, in which the electrode layer includes an activated carbon nanofiber and a carbon nanohorn.

Abstract: A PZT precursor solution is used for forming a PZT film by a sol-gel method. The PZT precursor solution includes a solvent; a component that forms a crystal of PZT by crystallization, the component being dissolved in the solvent; and an element that inhibits crystal growth of PZT, the element being dissolved in the solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric vibration module capable of improving adhesion between a piezoelectric element and an external electrode disposed on the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric vibration module, including: a piezoelectric element printing patterns of a first internal electrode and a second internal electrode therein and having a first external electrode electrically connected to the first internal electrode and a second external electrode electrically connected to the second internal electrode on an external surface thereof, wherein the first external electrode and the second external electrode are made of silver (Ag) and are formed on the external surface of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing an electrostrictive element by which an electrostrictive element including an expandable and contradictable film electrode having a thin and uniform thickness can be easily formed. In a method of manufacturing an electrostrictive element 1, screen printing is performed while a first jig 12 contacts with a face of a dielectric film 2 opposite to a face where screen printing is performed such that the first jig 12 surrounds an area where the screen printing is performed. Thus, a film electrode 3 is formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric thin film element having a pair of electrode layers and a piezoelectric thin film sandwiched between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the pair of electrode layers are composed of platinum (Pt), oxide particles are contained in at least one of the electrode layers, and the oxide particles are oxide particles of at least one element constituting the piezoelectric thin film or oxide particles of Pt.

Abstract: A method for producing a housing structure at least partially enclosing at least one component, wherein the housing structure is produced with a construction process utilizing at least one of repeated layered deposition and solidification of material, which is interrupted at least once before completion of the housing structure, and during at least one interruption at least one component, which is not produced by the construction process, is joined to or disposed in a partially finished housing structure, and the construction process is then continued after the interruption until the housing is completed, wherein at least one of an actuator and sensor comprising at least partially a transformer material selected as the at least one component to be joined to or disposed in the housing structure.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a substrate; an insulating layer provided on the substrate; a lower electrode layer provided on the insulating layer; a piezoelectric structure provided on the lower electrode layer, the piezoelectric structure including at least one conductive layer and multiple piezoelectric layers sandwiching the conductive layer, the conductive layer having the same crystal structure as that of the piezoelectric layers; and an upper electrode layer provided on the piezoelectric structure.

Abstract: An electrical component includes at least one external contact having a first metallization and a second metallization. The metallizations are fired and the second metallization only partly covers the first metallization. Furthermore, an electrical component includes at least one frame-shaped metallization. Furthermore, an electrical component includes a first and second metallization that have a different wettability with solder material.

Abstract: A semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure that includes a cap layer composed of a boron-rich compound or doped boron nitride located between a top semiconductor layer and a buried insulator layer is provided. The cap layer forms a conductive path between the top semiconductor layer and the buried insulator layer in the SOI structure to dissipate total ionizing dose (TID) accumulated charges, thus advantageously mitigating TID effects in fully depleted SOI transistors.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator comprises: an acoustic resonator device comprises: a composite first electrode disposed over a substrate, the composite first electrode comprising: a first electrically conductive layer provided over the substrate; a first interlayer disposed on the first electrical conductive layer; a buried temperature compensation layer disposed over the first interlayer; a second interlayer disposed over the temperature compensation layer; a second electrically conductive layer disposed over the second interlayer, a piezoelectric layer disposed over the composite first electrode; and a second electrode disposed over the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of providing a piezoelectric element having a surface front surface to operate as an active surface of a transducer on which a number of separate electrodes are disposed such that the electrodes on the front surface provide an effectively flat surface to the transducer. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator that includes a piezoelectric substrate, first and second electrodes, and a conductive layer. The first and second electrodes are configured to apply a voltage to the piezoelectric substrate. The conductive layer is formed on the first electrode. The conductive layer is made of a metal or an alloy different in color from the second electrode.

Abstract: A nanogenerator with at least one nanostructure and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method of manufacturing the nanogenerator includes forming at least one nanostructure including an organic piezoelectric material on a substrate.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator of a multilayer design has a stack of piezoelectric layers and electrode layers arranged in between. The electrode layers are contacted by way of two outer electrodes, which have a multiplicity of wires. The outer electrodes are fastened in fastening regions on first side faces of the stack and are led around the edge of the stack that is closest to the respective fastening region.

Abstract: An object is to increase the amount of displacement of a thin-film piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric thin film having an uneven-shaped contact surface with the planar shape and the layer structure of the thin-film piezoelectric element kept unchanged. The thin-film piezoelectric element includes a pair of electrode layers and a piezoelectric thin film sandwiched between the pair of electrode layers, in which a surface roughness P-V of an interface between the piezoelectric thin film and at least one of the pair of electrode layers is 220 nm or more and 500 nm or less.

Abstract: An ultrasound vibration device is provided with a stacked transducer in which a plurality of piezoelectric single crystal element layers are stacked between two metal blocks. Since each of the two metal blocks and the plurality of piezoelectric single crystal element layers is fusion-bonded relative to a stack direction by bonding metal having a melting point corresponding to half a Curie point of the plurality of piezoelectric single crystal element layers or below, it is possible to use non-lead material, reduce a processing cost and realize inexpensiveness.

Abstract: A method of producing a fully active multilayer element including producing a fully active stack, and optionally sintering of the fully active stack or a green precursor thereof; applying outer electrodes onto sides A? and C? of the fully active stack and contacting of the uncoated inner electrodes so that the two outer electrodes electrically connect to the uncoated inner electrode layers.

Abstract: In a multilayer ceramic electronic component, a size of a step portion on a first main surface and a size of a step portion on a second main surface are different from each other. A first outer electrode includes a plating film containing Cu. A length of a portion of the plating film containing Cu that is positioned on the first main surface in a length direction and a length of a portion of the plating film containing Cu that is positioned on the second main surface in the length direction are different from each other.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a charge output element including a plurality of piezoelectric bodies and an internal electrode formed between the piezoelectric bodies, a package that houses the charge output element, first conductive paste electrically connected to a plurality of the internal electrodes, and second conductive paste that electrically connects the first conductive paste and an output terminal and has a modulus of elasticity lower than a modulus of elasticity of the first conductive paste. A Young's modulus of the first conductive paste is equal to or higher than 3.4 GPa and equal to or lower than 5.0 GPa and a Young's modulus of the second conductive paste is equal to or higher than 0.1 GPa and equal to or lower than 0.2 GPa.

Abstract: Energy harvesting elements or membranes are provided that use a layer of electrodes with a mixture of carbon nanotubes (CNT). The energy harvesting device of this type can be used as in sensor-based system in which on application of a bending load, the energy harvesting device produces a voltage across the electrodes. The energy harvesting device may include an electrode coating including carbon nanotubes (CNT) substantially homogenously dispersed in epoxy resin system to form a CNT-epoxy electrode coating. The CNT-epoxy electrode can be realized by dispersing about 5% CNT (by weight) in an epoxy-resin system, followed by mixing the system to achieve a near-homogenous dispersion resulting in a CNT-epoxy mixture. The CNT-epoxy mixture can then be uniformly coated on surfaces of a polymer to form electrodes.