Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric element wherein a lower electrode made of Pt, a buffer layer made of PLT, and a piezoelectric thin film to be a perovskite ferroelectric thin film are formed in this order on a substrate. The average crystal grain size of Pt forming the lower electrode is not smaller than 50 nm and not larger than 150 nm.

Abstract: A lead type piezoelectric resonator device includes a piezoelectric resonator plate and a lead terminal that supports the piezoelectric resonator plate. The piezoelectric resonator plate is provided with a terminal electrode that is electrically connected to the lead terminal, and the lead terminal is provided with a bonding layer that is electrically connected to the piezoelectric resonator plate. The piezoelectric resonator plate and the lead terminal are electromechanically bonded to each other by the terminal electrode and the bonding layer. A bonding material containing an Sn—Cu alloy is produced from the terminal electrode and the bonding layer by the bonding of the terminal electrode and the bonding layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multilayer piezoelectric element which includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers with a thickness of 15 ?m to 100 ?m each; and internal electrodes interposed between the plurality of piezoelectric layers and laminated to alternately form an anode and a cathode.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device has a first electrode film, a piezoelectric film provided on the first electrode film, and a second electrode film provided on the piezoelectric film. At least one of the pair of electrode films is composed of an alloy, and a major component of the alloy is a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, Mg, and Zn.

Abstract: A sodium niobate powder includes sodium niobate particles having a shape of a cuboid and having a side average length of 0.1 ?m or more and 100 ?m or less, wherein at least one face of each of the sodium niobate particles is a (100) plane in the pseudocubic notation and a moisture content of the sodium niobate powder is 0.15 mass % or less. A method for producing a ceramic using the sodium niobate powder is provided. A method for producing a sodium niobate powder includes a step of holding an aqueous alkali dispersion liquid containing a niobium component and a sodium component at a pressure exceeding 0.1 MPa, a step of isolating a solid matter from the aqueous dispersion liquid after the holding, and a step of heat treating the solid matter at 500° C. to 700° C.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic material has the general formula: P1-c-dDcZd(PbO)w where: 0<c?0.025; 0?d?0.05; 0?w?0.05; where P stands for a compound having the formula [Pb1-vAgIv][(Zr1-yTiy)1-uCuIIu]O3, where 0.50?1?y?0.60; 0<u?0.0495; 0?v?0.02, and D stands for a component of the general formula [(M1O)1-p(M2O)p]a[Nb2O5]1-a, where M1 stands for Ba1-tSrt, where 0?t?1, M2 stands for Sr and/or Ca, and 0<p<1 and ?<a<1 and Z stands for a compound of the general formula: Pb(L1Rr)O3 where L is present in the oxidation state II or III, and R is present in the oxidation state VI or V, and: LII is selected from among Fe, Mg, Co, Ni and Cu in combination with RVI=W, where 1=½ and r=½, or LIII is selected from among Fe, Cr and Ga in combination with RV=Nb, Ta or Sb, where 1=½ and r=½, or LIII is selected from among Fe, Cr and Ga in combination with RVI=W, where 1=? and r=?.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic contains a main component, Mn as a first auxiliary component, and a second auxiliary component containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, B, and Si. The main component contains a perovskite metal oxide having the following general formula (1): (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3(0.100?x?0.145,0.010?y?0.039)??(1) The amount b (mol) of Mn per mole of the metal oxide is in the range of 0.0048?b?0.0400, the second auxiliary component content on a metal basis is 0.001 parts by weight or more and 4.000 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide, and the value a of the general formula (1) is in the range of 0.9925+b?a?1.0025+b.

Abstract: Multi-layered thin film piezoelectric material stacks and devices incorporating such stacks. In embodiments, an intervening material layer is disposed between two successive piezoelectric material layers in at least a portion of the area of a substrate over which the multi-layered piezoelectric material stack is disposed. The intervening material may serve one or more function within the stack including, but not limited to, inducing an electric field across one or both of the successive piezoelectric material layers, inducing a discontinuity in the microstructure between the two successive piezoelectric materials, modulating a cumulative stress of the piezoelectric material stack, and serving as a basis for varying the strength of an electric field as a function of location over the substrate.

Abstract: A film-type piezoelectric/electrostrictive element which is a fired object includes a body part, a pair of side-surface electrodes and an electrode exposed surface. The body part has n+1 layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive films and n layered internal electrode layer(s). The piezoelectric/electrostrictive films are composed of ceramic. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive films and the internal electrode layer(s) are stacked in an alternating manner. The n is an integer equal to 1 or more. The pair of side-surface electrodes is positioned on two opposing side surfaces of the body part. The two opposing side surfaces extend in a stacking direction of the body part. The internal electrode layer(s) is/are exposed on an electrode exposed surface of the body part. The electrode exposed surface extends in the stacking direction. An electrode exposure ratio of the internal electrode layer(s) on the electrode exposed surface as defined by Formula (1) being more than 0% and less than or equal to 10%.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrating piece includes an excitation unit in a rectangular shape, a framing portion, and a connecting portion. The excitation unit includes two principal surfaces, a pair of excitation electrodes on the principal surfaces, a first side extending in a first direction, and a second side extending in a second direction. The second side is longer than the first side, and is perpendicular to the first direction. The framing portion surrounds the excitation unit. The connecting portion connects the excitation unit to the framing portion. The connecting portion has a third side which is connected to the first side and extends in the first direction and a fourth side which is connected to the framing portion and extends in the first direction. A thickness of the connecting portion is thinner than that of the framing portion. The third side has a different length from that of the fourth side.

Abstract: Provided is a lead-free piezoelectric ceramics having enhanced mechanical quality factor (Qm) and mechanical strength. The piezoelectric ceramics, includes at least a first crystal grain and a second crystal grain. The first crystal grain has an average equivalent circle diameter of 2 ?m or more and 30 ?m or less. The first crystal grain includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the following general formula (1) as a main component, and the second crystal grain includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the following general formula (2) as a main component: (1) xBaTiO3-yCaTiO3-zCaZrO3; and (2) x?BaTiO3-y?CaTiO3-z?CaZrO3, provided that x, y, z, x?, y?, and z? satisfy x+y+z=1, x?+y?+z?=1, 0?x??0.15, 0.85?y??1, 0?z?0.05, x>x?, 0<y<y?, and z>0.

Abstract: A vibrator element includes a base portion, a vibrating arm extending from the base portion, a first electrode provided on the vibrating arm, a second electrode provided above the first electrode, a piezoelectric body arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an insulating film arranged between the first electrode and the piezoelectric body, in which the material of the first electrode contains TiN, the material of the insulating film contains SiO2, and the material of the piezoelectric body contains AlN.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric element, including: a porous fluororesin film made of a first fluororesin; and a nonporous fluororesin layer stacked on at least one surface of the porous fluororesin film and made of a second fluororesin, wherein the first fluororesin is different in type from the second fluororesin, and when 50 pores are selected in descending order from a pore having the longest thickness-direction length, of pores present in a cut surface of the porous fluororesin film in a thickness direction, an average value A50 of thickness-direction lengths of the 50 pores is 3 ?m or smaller.

Abstract: A polymer actuator device includes a device part including an electrolyte layer, first and second electrode layers disposed on either surface of the electrolyte layer in a thickness direction, and a reference electrode layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers and in contact with the electrolyte layer. The device part bends in response to a voltage applied between the first and second electrode layers.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric material not containing any lead component, having stable piezoelectric characteristics in an operating temperature range, a high mechanical quality factor, and satisfactory piezoelectric characteristics. The piezoelectric material according to the present invention includes a main component containing a perovskite-type metal oxide that can be expressed using the following general formula (1), and subcomponents containing Mn, Li, and Bi. When the metal oxide is 100 parts by weight, the content of Mn on a metal basis is not less than 0.04 parts by weight and is not greater than 0.36 parts by weight, content ? of Li on a metal basis is equal to or less than 0.0012 parts by weight (including 0 parts by weight), and content ? of Bi on a metal basis is not less than 0.042 parts by weight and is not greater than 0.850 parts by weight (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zZrySnz)O3??(1) (in the formula (1), 0.09?x?0.30, 0.025?y?0.085, 0?z?0.02, and 0.986?a?1.02).

Abstract: A piezoelectric material contains a main component containing a perovskite-type metal oxide having the formula (1); a first auxiliary component composed of Mn; and a second auxiliary component composed of Bi or Bi and Li, wherein the Mn content is 0.04 parts by weight or more and 0.400 parts by weight or less on a metal basis per 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide, the Bi content is 0.042 parts by weight or more and 0.850 parts by weight or less on a metal basis per 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide, and the Li content is 0.028 parts by weight or less (including 0 parts by weight) on a metal basis per 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide. (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zSnyZrz)O3??(1) (wherein 0?x?0.080, 0.013?y?0.060, 0?z?0.040, and 0.986?a?1.020.

Abstract: A ceramic electronic component includes a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped laminate in which a ceramic layer and an internal electrode are alternately laminated and an external electrode provided on a portion of a surface of the laminate and electrically connected to the internal electrode. The external electrode includes an inner external electrode covering a portion of the surface of the laminate and including a mixture of a resin component and a metal component and an outer external electrode covering the inner external electrode and including a metal component.

Abstract: A piezoelectric material, comprising: a piezoelectric self-assembling monolayer of oligopeptides; a conductive surface; and a substrate, wherein the conductive surface is located between the piezoelectric self-assembling monolayer of oligopeptides and the substrate. A touch sensitive device, comprising: a first piezoelectric material, comprising: a piezoelectric self-assembling monolayer of oligopeptides containing a dipole moment; a conductive surface; and a substrate; a second piezoelectric material, comprising: a piezoelectric self-assembling monolayer of oligopeptides containing a dipole moment; a conductive surface; and s substrate, wherein the oligopeptides making up the self-assembling monolayer of the first and second piezoelectric materials, respectively, have the same amino acid sequence but have an equal and opposite dipole moment.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is provided with: a piezoelectric ceramic layer that is obtained by firing a piezoelectric ceramic composition which contains a perovskite composition and an Ag component; and a conductor layer that sandwiches the piezoelectric ceramic layer, wherein Ag is segregated in voids in a sintered body of the perovskite composition in the piezoelectric ceramic layer. The piezoelectric ceramic composition preferably contains a perovskite composition which is represented by (Pba.Rex){Zrb.Tic,.(Ni1/3Nb2/3)d.(Zn1/3Nb2/3)e}O3 (wherein Re represents La and/or Nd, and a-e and x satisfy the following conditions 0.95?a?1.05, 0?x?0.05, 0.35?b?0.45, 0.35?c?0.45, 0<d?0.10, 0.07?e?0.20 and b+c+d+e=1) and 0.05-0.3% by mass of an Ag component in terms of oxides relative to the perovskite composition.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric material having high Curie temperature, high insulation property, and high piezoelectric performance, the piezoelectric material including a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the general formula (1): xBaTiO3-yBiFeO3-zBi(M0.5Ti0.5)O3, where M represents at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ni, and Zn, x represents a value satisfying 0.25?x?0.75, y represents a value satisfying 0.15?y?0.73, and z represents a value satisfying 0.02?z?0.60, provided that x+y+z=1 is satisfied in which the perovskite-type metal oxide contains V, and content of the V is 0.0005 mol or larger and 0.0050 mol or smaller with respect to 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide. In addition, provided are a piezoelectric element, a liquid discharge head, an ultrasonic motor, and a dust removing device, which use the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a first electrode film, a piezoelectric film disposed on the first electrode film, and a second electrode film disposed on the piezoelectric film. At least one of the first and second electrode films is composed of an alloy, and a main component of the alloy is a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Al, Mg, and Zn. The piezoelectric film has a main composition represented by (K1-x-y-w-vNaxLiyBawSrv)m(Nb1-z-uTazZru)O3 (1), where x, y, z, w, v, u, and m in formula (1) satisfy 0.4<x?0.7, 0.02?y?0.11, 0.5?x+y<0.75, 0<z?0.28, 0<w?0.02, 0.02?v?0.11, 0.02?u?0.11, and 0.95?m<1.2, and contains 1% by mass or less of MnO relative to the main composition.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a substrate, a lower electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode layer. The lower electrode layer is fixed to the substrate and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the lower electrode layer. The upper electrode layer is formed on piezoelectric layer. The lower electrode layer contains pores therein and has a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a piezoelectric material that endures high temperatures, the resources of raw materials of which are abundant, and that is stably suppliable. Disclosed is a piezoelectric element, including: a piezoelectric member having a surface for receiving external stress and a side surface that is perpendicular to the surface for receiving external stress; and at least one pair of a first electrode and a second electrode that are placed on the side surface, the first electrode being provided so as to separate from the second electrode. The piezoelectric member is preferably cut out from a piezoelectric material that includes gehlenite (Ca2Al2SiO7) in a predetermined crystal orientation. The piezoelectric member utilizes a transverse piezoelectric effect, and is preferably a (XYt) 45°-cut piece. The electrodes are preferably provided on surfaces that are parallel to the YZ plane.

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: A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a first multilayer composite disposed on the first electrode, a second multilayer composite disposed on the first electrode with a distance from the first multilayer composite, and a covering layer covering the side surfaces of the first and second multilayer composites and the surface of the first electrode between the first multilayer composite and the second multilayer composite. The first and second multilayer composites each include a piezoelectric layer and a second electrode over the piezoelectric layer. The first electrode contains a metal that can react with chlorine, and has at least one of a bump and a dip at the surface thereof between the first multilayer composite and the second multilayer composite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ceramic material, comprising lead zirconate titanate, which additionally contains K and optionally Cu. The ceramic material can be used in an electroceramic component, for example a piezoelectric actuator. The invention also relates to methods for producing the ceramic material and the electronic component.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin-film multilayer body includes a substrate, an adhesive layer on the substrate, a lower electrode layer on the adhesive layer, and a lead-free piezoelectric thin-film layer on the lower electrode layer. The lead-free piezoelectric thin-film layer is composed of lithium potassium sodium niobate (composition formula (NaxKyLiz)NbO3, 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0?z?1, x+y+z=1). The maximum height Rz of a roughness of an adhesive-layer-facing surface of the substrate is 2 nm or less. The adhesive layer is composed of a non-crystalline oxide of a Group 4 element or a non-crystalline oxide of a Group 5 element. The adhesive layer has a thickness of 1 nm or more and 2 nm or less and is equal to or more than the maximum height Rz of the roughness of the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: There are provided a multi-layer piezoelectric element in which an increase of oxygen vacancies in an electric-field concentration part of piezoelectric layers is suppressed and a decrease of an amount of displacement is suppressed, as well as to provide a piezoelectric actuator, an injection device and a fuel injection system provided with the multi-layer piezoelectric element. A multi-layer piezoelectric element includes a stacked body composed of piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers which are stacked on each other, and a resin which evolves OH? when being heated. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a multi-layer piezoelectric element in which an increase of oxygen vacancies in an electric-field concentration part of piezoelectric layers is suppressed and a decrease of an amount of displacement is suppressed.

Abstract: A bulk wave piezoelectric resonator operating at a predetermined frequency includes a substrate block, having a plane face, a first thickness and consisting of a first material, a resonant plate having a length, width and second thickness, and consisting of a second piezoelectric material, first and second metal electrodes at least partly covering the resonant plate on each side and partly facing each other. The resonant plate is fixed perpendicularly in the vicinity of the plane face of the substrate block so that the width of the resonant plate and the first thickness of the substrate block have the same direction, and the first material, the second material, the first thickness of the block of substrate, the length, the width, the second thickness of the resonant plate are configured for trapping bulk waves at the operating frequency of the resonator and for producing a plane-plane type bulk wave piezoelectric resonator.

Abstract: A ceramic or single crystal ferroelectric and a method of manufacture are disclosed. The ceramics and single crystals of the present disclosure are located near phase boundaries between ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases. These ceramics, single crystals, and composite may be used in pulsed power applications.

Abstract: Textured ceramic compositions having improved piezoelectric characteristics as compared with their random counterparts are provided. Methods of making the compositions and devices using them are also included. More particularly, compositions comprising textured ceramic Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3—BaTiO3(NBT-BT) materials synthesized from high aspect ratio NBT seeds exhibit improved characteristics, including an increased longitudinal piezoelectric constant (d33) and magnetoelectric coupling coefficient over randomly oriented NBT-BT. Additionally provided are compositions comprising of nanostructured Na0.5B0.5TiO3—BaTiO3 ferroelectric whiskers having a high aspect ratio. Nanostructured whiskers can be used to improve the piezoelectric properties of the bulk ceramics. The inventive materials are useful in microelectronic devices, with some finding particular application as multilayer actuators and transducers.

Abstract: A MEMS resonator has a component which provides a capacitance associated with the transduction gap which has a temperature-dependent dielectric characteristic, which varies in the same direction (i.e. the slope has the same sign) as the Young's modulus of the material of the resonator versus temperature. This means that the resonant frequency is less dependent on temperature.

Abstract: An electrically conductive contact layer (4) is provided with a joining material (9) during a method for producing a piezoelectric component (1), in particular a piezoelectric sensor (1). To this end, the electrically conductive contact layer (4) can be dipped into a paste that serves to form the joining material (9). The contact layer (4) provided with the joining material (9) is subsequently disposed between a first piezoceramic layer (2) and a second piezoceramic layer (3). The contact layer (4) is then inserted via the joining material (9) between the first piezoceramic layer (2) and the second piezoceramic layer (3), wherein a pressure is applied to the first piezocermaic layer (2) against the second piezoceramic layer (3).

Abstract: A polymer linear actuator for a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) and a micro manipulator for a measurement device of cranial nerve signal using the same are provided. The polymer linear actuator has first and second bodies positioned spaced apart to a distance from each other, and one or more pairs of V-type moving units connecting the first and second bodies together, wherein the moving units in pair are opposed to each other to convert a rotation motion of the respective moving units into a linear motion, thereby causing the first and second bodies to move linearly.

Abstract: A piezoelectric material includes a metal oxide represented by general formula (1) below, a Mn content is 0.04 parts by weight or more and 0.36 parts by weight or less, a Li content ? is 0.0013 parts by weight or more and 0.0280 parts by weight or less, a Bi content ? is 0.042 parts by weight or more and 0.850 parts by weight or less, and the contents ? and ? satisfy 0.5?(?·MB)/(?·ML)?1 (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zZrySnz) O3 (1) (where x, y, z, and a satisfy 0.09?x?0.30, 0.025?y?0.074, 0?z?0.02, and 0.986?a?1.02). A piezoelectric material according to an embodiment of the present invention contains no lead, has a low degree of temperature dependency of piezoelectric performance within operation temperature ranges of piezoelectric elements, and good piezoelectric properties.

Abstract: A piezoelectric material includes, as a main component, a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by a general formula (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zSnyZrz)O3 where 1.00?a?1.01, 0.125?x?0.300, 0?y?0.020, and 0.041?z?0.074, the perovskite-type metal oxide containing copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn). A Cu content relative to 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide is 0.02 parts by weight or more and 0.60 parts by weight or less on a metal basis, and a Mn content relative to 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide is 0.12 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less on a metal basis.

Abstract: A piezoelectric bulk wave device that includes a piezoelectric thin plate that is made of LiTaO3, and first and second electrodes that are provided in contact with the piezoelectric thin plate. The piezoelectric bulk wave device utilizes the thickness shear mode of the piezoelectric thin plate made of LiTaO3. The first and second electrodes are each formed by a conductor having a specific acoustic impedance higher than the specific acoustic impedance of a transversal wave that propagates in LiTaO3. When the sum of the film thicknesses of the first and second electrodes is defined as an electrode thickness, and the thickness of the piezoelectric thin plate made of LiTaO3 is defined as an LT thickness, the electrode thickness/(electrode thickness+LT thickness) is in the range of not less than 40% and not more than 95%.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive element by lamination of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film and an electrode film containing either platinum or an alloy composed mainly of platinum and having a thickness of 2.0 ?m or less, both or either one of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) and cerium oxide (CeO2) is added to the electrode film or the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, and the electrode film and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film are fired simultaneously. This simultaneously achieves a reduced thickness and improved thermal resistance of the electrode film and a reduced change in piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties with time, thereby producing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element with good initial piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties and with a small change in the piezoelectridelectrostrictive properties with time.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes, in sequence, a substrate containing metallic material; a first intermediate layer; a lower electrode layer; a piezoelectric layer; and an upper electrode layer. The first intermediate layer contains, as a main component, a nitrogen-containing silicon oxide having a silicon-nitrogen bond. The lower electrode layer contains a perovskite-type oxide in (100) preferential orientation. The piezoelectric layer contains a perovskite-type oxide in (001) or (100) preferential orientation.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a laminated piezoelectric/electrostrictive element by lamination of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film and an electrode film containing either platinum or an alloy composed mainly of platinum and having a thickness of 2.0 ?m or less, both or either one of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) and cerium oxide (CeO2) is added to the electrode film or the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, and the electrode film and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film are fired simultaneously. This simultaneously achieves a reduced thickness and improved thermal resistance of the electrode film and a reduced change in piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties with time, thereby producing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element with good initial piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties and with a small change in the piezoelectric/electrostrictive properties with time.

Abstract: Exemplary piezoelectric vibrating pieces have an excitation electrode and an extraction electrode having uniform thickness in the vibrating region to prevent unnecessary vibrations and degradation of vibration characteristics. An exemplary piezoelectric vibrating piece includes a vibrating portion having an excitation electrode of a first thickness (d1), an outer frame surrounding the vibrating portion with a gap therebetween, a joining portion connecting the vibrating portion and the outer frame, and an extraction electrode connected to the excitation electrode and extending on the vibrating portion, joining portion, and outer frame. The extraction electrode has the first thickness d1 throughout the vibrating portion and a second thickness (d2>d1) on the outer frame.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and apparatus for generating electricity are provided. Electricity is generated through the mechanisms nuclear magnetic spin and remnant polarization electric generation. The apparatus may include a material with high nuclear magnetic spin or high remnant polarization coupled with a poled ferroelectric material. The apparatus may also include a pair of electrical contacts disposed on opposite sides of the poled ferroelectric material and the high nuclear magnetic spin or high remnant polarization material. Further, a magnetic field may be applied to the high nuclear magnetic spin material.

Abstract: A mechanical implement adapted for use in an autonomously functioning device, such as a robot arm, and including an active material, such as shape memory polymer, element that when activated and/or deactivated is operable to modify the mechanical impedance of a joint or link in the device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a dielectric elastomer composite material comprising a plurality of elastomer-coated electrodes arranged in an assembly. Embodiments of the invention provide improved force output over prior DEs by producing thinner spacing between electrode surfaces. This is accomplished by coating electrodes directly with uncured elastomer in liquid form and then assembling a finished component (which may be termed an actuator) from coated electrode components.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head including a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric layer and electrodes The piezoelectric layer is 3 ?m or less in thickness. The piezoelectric layer is made of a piezoelectric material including bismuth manganate ferrate and barium titanate. The piezoelectric layer is preferentially oriented with the (110) plane.

Abstract: In an inactive region, a farthest dummy electrode formed in a base end portion and an isolated dummy electrode island are located at positions along an extension from an individual internal electrode toward the base end portion. Such a configuration allows the area of the dummy electrode to be reduced, compared with a dummy electrode continuously formed in the inactive region. Therefore, the cost incurred by the dummy electrode is reduced, which leads to reduction in manufacturing cost of a piezoelectric unit.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic component that can be repetitively operated under high voltage, high temperature and high humidity is provided. The multi-layer electronic component comprises a plurality of dielectric material layers made of a sintered material having perovskite structure that includes Pb; and a plurality of internal electrodes, the dielectric material layers and the internal electrodes being stacked alternately one on another, wherein lead compound that remains in the crystal grain boundaries of the dielectric material layers is controlled so that the number of grains of the lead compound not smaller than 0.01 ?m are 2 or less per 100 ?m2 on average.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric vibrating piece, a base plate, which has a connecting electrode on one principal surface and a mounting terminal on another principal surface, in a rectangular shape, and a lid plate. The another principal surface of the base plate includes a pair of sides that face one another. At least the pair of sides has a level difference portion depressed toward the one principal surface side and a castellation passing through from the another principal surface to the one principal surface. A wiring electrode extracted from the mounting terminal to the one principal surface of the base plate is at a part of the level difference portion and the castellation. The wiring electrode and the mounting terminal include a metal film formed by sputtering or vacuum evaporation and an electroless plating film formed on the metal film by electroless plating.

Abstract: Provided are a polymer and a polymer actuator including the polymer. The polymer is cross-linked by a cross-linking agent. When the polymer is used in the polymer actuator, the polymer actuator shows a high strain and may be stably operated at high temperatures.

Abstract: An electronic device has an electronic signal source electrically connected to a signal routing circuit, an electrically activated transducer to receive electronic signals through the signal routing circuit, and an anisotropic conductive film to provide electrical continuity between the signal routing circuit and the transducer, the anisotropic conductive film having material removed adjacent the transducer to reduce mechanical loading of the transducer.