Abstract: A method and apparatus for a piezoelectric resonator having combined thickness and width vibrational modes are disclosed. A piezoelectric resonator may include a piezoelectric substrate and a first electrode coupled to a first surface of the piezoelectric substrate. The piezoelectric resonator may further include a second electrode coupled to a second surface of the piezoelectric substrate, where the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel and define a thickness dimension of the piezoelectric substrate. Furthermore, the thickness dimension and the width dimension of the piezoelectric substrate are configured to produce a resonance from a coherent combination of a thickness vibrational mode and a width vibrational mode when an excitation signal is applied to the electrodes.

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: A piezoelectric device and a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric device are provided. The piezoelectric device includes first and second electrodes disposed on a first surface of a piezoelectric layer; third and fourth electrodes disposed on a second surface of the piezoelectric layer, a first conductor electrically connecting the first and fourth electrodes, and a second conductor electrically connecting the second and third electrodes, in a cross-link with the first conductor.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrating piece is to be bonded to and sandwiched between a lid plate and a base plate with an external electrode. The piezoelectric vibrating piece has a first main surface at the lid plate side and a second main surface at the base plate side. The piezoelectric vibrating piece includes an excitation unit, a first excitation electrode, a second excitation electrode, a framing portion, one connecting portion, a first extraction electrode, and a second extraction electrode. The connecting portion includes a planar surface parallel to both the main surfaces and a side face intersecting with the planar surface. The first extraction electrode is extracted via the connecting portion. The second extraction electrode is extracted via the connecting portion. The first extraction electrode is disposed on at least a part of the side face of the connecting portion to be extracted to the framing portion.

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: 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: The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to provide shutter and/or aperture control.

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 multi-layer piezoelectric element includes: a stacked body comprising an active section, and inactive sections disposed at opposite ends in a stacking direction of the active section; an electrically-conductive bonding material disposed on a side surface of the stacked body from the active section to the inactive sections; and an external electrode plate attached, through the electrically-conductive bonding material, to the side surface of the stacked body, a spacing between a side surface of at least one of the inactive sections and the external electrode plate being wider than a spacing between a side surface of the active section and the external electrode plate, and the electrically-conductive bonding material situated between the side surface of at least one of the inactive sections and the external electrode plate being larger in thickness than the electrically-conductive bonding material situated between the side surface of the active section and the external electrode plate.

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 piezoelectric actuator includes a stacked body composed of internal electrodes and piezoelectric layers which are stacked on each other; and a surface electrode disposed on at least one of main surfaces of the stacked body so as to be electrically connected to the internal electrodes. The internal electrodes each includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The stacked body has an active section in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes of the internal electrodes are arranged so as to overlap each other in a stacking direction thereof, and an inactive section which is every section of the stacked body other than the active section. An internal electrode placed on a one-main-surface side of the internal electrodes is configured so that its end part situated near a boundary between the active section and the inactive section is curved toward the other main surface.

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 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: 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 piezoelectric element is provided which enables superior piezoelectric effects to be attained while having a comparatively simple structure and being easy to produce. The piezoelectric element according to the present invention includes a plurality of strip-shaped flexible sheets having: a dielectric elastomer layer; and an electrode layer that is stretchable and laminated on the dielectric elastomer layer, the plurality of flexible sheets being superposed crosswise on each other and alternately folded in an accordion shape such that the flexible sheets are alternately stacked. It is preferred that at least one of the plurality of flexible sheets includes a pair of the dielectric layers laminated on front and back face sides of the electrode layer. The pair of flexible sheets are preferably superposed on each other crosswise at substantially right angles. The flexible sheets are preferably stacked to give no less than 10 layers and no greater than 10,000 layers.

Abstract: A monolithic ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body including a stack of ceramic layers. Inner electrodes are disposed within the ceramic body and include exposed portions at the end surfaces of the ceramic body. A pair of outer electrodes is arranged on the end surfaces of the ceramic body so as to extend from the end surfaces to the main surfaces and side surfaces of the ceramic body. Each of the outer electrodes includes a lower electrode layer provided on the ceramic body, an intermediate electrode layer located on the lower electrode layer and defined by a plated Ni layer, and an upper electrode layer located on the intermediate electrode layer and defined by a plated Pd layer. A thickness of the intermediate electrode layer on the main surfaces and the side surfaces of the ceramic body is larger than a thickness of the intermediate electrode layer on the end surfaces of the ceramic body.

Abstract: A woven active fiber composite is disclosed. The woven active fiber composite includes actuating fibers interwoven with conductive wire electrodes. A method of making the woven active fiber composite is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic electronic component includes a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped stack in which a ceramic layer and an internal electrode are alternately stacked and an external electrode provided on a portion of a surface of the stack and electrically connected to the internal electrode. The external electrode includes an inner external electrode covering a portion of the surface of the stack 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. A volume occupied by the resin component in the inner external electrode is within a prescribed range.

Abstract: A quartz crystal resonator element includes a first electrode pad and a second electrode pad disposed on a lower surface of a support arm, and cut sections disposed in both principal surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) of the support arm between the first and second electrode pads so as to overlap each other, and the cut sections extend so that the support arm is cut from the side surface in the +X-axis direction of the support arm to the ?X-axis direction, and are provided with first surfaces roughly perpendicular to the X axis and first and second tilted surfaces extending in the +X-axis direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a vibrator, a piezoelectric drive unit, and a first piezoelectric detector. The vibrator includes a first surface, a first groove formed along a first axis direction, and a second groove formed to be parallel to the first groove. The piezoelectric drive unit includes a first electrode pair provided in the first groove and opposed to each other in a second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction and parallel to the first surface, and a first piezoelectric body provided between the first electrode pair, and is capable of vibrating the vibrator. The first piezoelectric detector includes a second electrode pair provided in the second groove and opposed to each other in the second axis direction, and a second piezoelectric body provided between the second electrode pair, and is capable of detecting a vibration of the vibrator.

Abstract: Object is that an output sound pressure at transmission or an output voltage at reception of a predetermined higher resonance component becomes higher than those of the primary resonance component. The piezoelectric material layer 24 has an electrode on the surface of the piezoelectric material of between the layer and both ends, and outputs and inputs an electrical signal with this electrode. The piezoelectric material 24 has a remanent polarization in a thickness direction, the relationship of the (4P+1)th layer piezoelectric material from fixed end side is used as the basic relationship, piezoelectric materials are periodically arranged so that piezoelectric materials of (4p+2)th and (4p+3)th layer each has an opposite relationship, and (4p+4)th layer has the same relationship as the basic relationship.

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 according to the present invention is a laminated body including stacked first and second sheets. The laminated body is divided by a plurality of grooves. In the laminated body, first driving units each have a fifth region where the first electrode of the first sheet and the second electrode of the second sheet are opposed to each other while second driving units each have a sixth region where the first electrode of the first sheet and the second electrode of the second sheet are opposed to each other. The grooves are interposed between the driving units. The fifth regions of the first driving units are located along a straight line separate from a straight line along which the sixth regions of the second driving units are located.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a vibration plate which is joined to a flow passage unit to cover a pressure chamber formed in the flow passage unit, a piezoelectric layer arranged on the vibration plate, a first electrode arranged on the piezoelectric layer to face the pressure chamber, a second electrode arranged on the piezoelectric layer while being opposed to the first electrode, and a third area arranged in the remaining area of the piezoelectric layer opposed to the pressure chamber. A first portion of the piezoelectric layer interposed by the first and second electrodes is polarized in parallel to the thickness direction. A second portion of the piezoelectric layer disposed between the first and third electrodes in the plane direction, is polarized in parallel to the plane direction. Accordingly, there are provided the piezoelectric actuator having a high driving efficiency.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator is disclosed that includes forming a vibration plate, forming a plurality of electrodes on the vibration plate, forming a piezoelectric layer on the electrodes, and forming a common electrode on the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A device includes: a first electrode having a first electrode thickness; a first acoustic propagation layer disposed on the first electrode, the first piezo-electric layer having a first acoustic propagation layer thickness; a second electrode having a second electrode thickness; a second piezo-electric layer disposed on the first electrode, the second piezo-electric layer having a second acoustic propagation layer thickness; and a third electrode having a third electrode thickness, wherein the second electrode thickness is between 1.15 and 1.8 times the first electrode thickness. The first and third electrode thicknesses may be equal to each other, and the first and second piezo-electric layer thicknesses may be equal to each other. The first and third electrodes may be connected together to provide two acoustic resonators in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer electronic component includes the steps of preparing a laminate including a plurality of laminated insulating layers and a plurality of internal electrodes disposed along interfaces between the insulating layers, edges of the internal electrodes being exposed at a predetermined surface of the laminate, and forming an external electrode on the predetermined surface to electrically connect exposed the edges of the internal electrodes. The step of forming an external electrode includes a plating step of forming a continuous plating film by depositing plating deposits on the edges of the internal electrodes exposed at the predetermined surface and by performing plating growth to be connected to each other, and a heat treatment step of performing a heat treatment at an oxygen partial pressure of about 5 ppm or less and at a temperature of about 600° C. or more.

Abstract: A ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic base, first and second internal electrodes, and first and second external electrodes. The first external electrode is disposed at a first end portion of a first major surface in the longitudinal direction. The second external electrode is disposed at a second end portion of the first major surface in the longitudinal direction. A portion of each of the first and second external electrodes is opposed in the thickness direction to a region where the first and second internal electrodes are opposed to each other in the thickness direction. A condition ( 1/10)t0?t1 ?(?)t0 is satisfied, where to is the thickness of each of the first and second external electrodes and t1 is the thickness of a portion in which each of the first and second external electrodes is embedded in the first major surface.

Abstract: An oscillator as an electronic component includes external connection terminals as terminals disposed on a reverse side of a substrate constituting a package, and connection electrodes connected respectively to the external connection terminals, and penetrating through the substrate, and the center of the connection electrode as a second connection electrode in the three connection electrodes adjacent to each other is disposed at a position out of an imaginary line passing through the center of the connection electrode as a first connection electrode and the center of the connection electrode as a third connection electrode.

Abstract: Provided is a lead-free piezoelectric material having a satisfactory and stable piezoelectric constant and electric insulation property in a wide practical temperature range. Provided is a piezoelectric material, including a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the following general formula (1) as a main component, the piezoelectric material containing Mn in a content of 0.01 part by weight or more and 0.80 part by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the perovskite-type metal oxide: (Li?xNa?yK?zBa?Bi0.5?+?)a(Ti?+?Fe?) O3 . . . (1), where 0.800???0.999, 0???0.150, 0.001???0.050, ?+?+?=1, 0?x?0.050, 0.045?y?0.450, 0.045?z?0.450, 0.450?x+y+z?0.500, and 0.980?a?1.020.

Abstract: Provision is made of a method for producing a piezoelectric multilayer component (1), in which piezoelectric green sheets, at least one ply (21) containing an auxiliary material having a first and a second component and layers (20) containing electrode material are arranged one above another alternately and sintered, wherein, during the sintering, the first and second components of the auxiliary material chemically react, and the at least one ply (21) containing the auxiliary material is degraded.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element has a piezoelectric body, a through-hole electrode, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode. The piezoelectric body includes a through-hole in communication with a first main surface and a second main surface. The through-hole electrode is formed on an inner side surface of the through-hole. The first electrode is formed on the first main surface of the piezoelectric body. The first electrode is connected to the through-hole electrode. The second electrode is formed on the second main surface of the piezoelectric body. The second electrode is connected to the through-hole electrode. The third electrode is formed on the second main surface of the piezoelectric body. The third electrode is isolated from the second electrode. A calculated average roughness in the inner side surface is larger than 0.11 microns and smaller than 16 microns. A maximum height roughness in the inner side surface is larger than 0.2 microns and smaller than 20 microns.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes: a first piezoelectric thin film resonator including a first lower electrode, a first upper electrode and a first piezoelectric film sandwiched between the first lower and upper electrodes; a decoupler film provided on the first upper electrode; and a second piezoelectric thin film resonator provided on the decoupler film and including a second lower electrode, a second upper electrode and a second piezoelectric film sandwiched between the second lower and upper electrodes, wherein the first piezoelectric film and the second piezoelectric film comprise aluminum nitride and include an element increasing a piezoelectric constant of the aluminum nitride.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer includes a rectangular plate-shaped piezoelectric board having a length L in a longitudinal direction. In the piezoelectric board, five regions having a length L/5 are formed. In the two of regions, inner electrodes are formed in a thickness direction and conducted to outer electrodes provided in these regions. In a third region, outer electrodes are provided. The two regions of the piezoelectric board are polarized in the thickness direction, and two adjacent regions thereof are polarized in the longitudinal direction, and the third region is non-polarized. When a voltage is applied to the outer electrodes, the piezoelectric board expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction due to a piezoelectric effect. Thus, a piezoelectric transformer which enables high-efficient energy conversion even when a driving frequency is increased and a wireless power transmission system using the piezoelectric transformer are provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is provided, including a vibration plate, a piezoelectric layer, a plurality of individual electrodes arranged in two arrays, first and second common electrodes which have first and second facing portions facing parts of the individual electrodes and first and second connecting portions connecting the first and second facing portions respectively, and first and second wiring portions which are arranged on the vibration plate and which are connected to the first and second common electrodes respectively via first and second connecting wirings, wherein one of the first connecting wirings connects the first connecting portion and one of the first wiring portion while striding over the second connecting portion.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing electroactive polymer generators, a strip, including one layer of an electroactive polymer and electrodes applied to sections of this layer, is spirally wound in such a way that multiple electrodes are situated congruently on top of each other, in each case two electrodes situated on top of each other being separated from each other by a layer of electroactive polymer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes an ultrasonic element array and a common electrode wiring. The ultrasonic element array has three ultrasonic element rows with each of the three ultrasonic element rows including a plurality of ultrasonic elements arranged along a first direction and electrically connected to each other. The three ultrasonic element rows are arranged along a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The common electrode wiring is configured and arranged to supply a common voltage to at least one of the three ultrasonic element rows. The common electrode wiring extends in the first direction and is arranged between two of the three ultrasonic element rows positioned on outer sides among the three ultrasonic element rows with respect to the second direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes an ultrasonic transducer element array, a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal. The ultrasonic transducer element array has a 1st element group to a kth element group (where k is a natural number such that k?2). The first signal terminal is connected with a control section configured to perform at least one of receiving and transmitting of signals. The second signal terminal is connected with the first signal terminal via the ultrasonic transducer element array. Each of the 1st element group to the kth element group includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements electrically connected in parallel. The 1st element group to the kth element group are electrically connected in series between the first signal terminal and the second signal terminal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes an ultrasonic transducer element array, a first signal terminal, and a second signal terminal. The ultrasonic transducer element array has a 1st element group to a kth element group (where k is a natural number such that k?2). The first signal terminal is connected with a control section configured and arranged to perform at least one of receiving and transmitting of signals. The second signal terminal is connected with the first signal terminal via the ultrasonic transducer element array. Each of the 1st element group to the kth element group includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements electrically connected in series. The 1st element group to the kth element group are electrically connected in parallel between the first signal terminal and the second signal terminal.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a piezoelectric multilayer are described. The method includes providing conductive layers. Alternating conductive layers are electrically connected. A first plurality of alternating conductive layers is electrically isolated from a second plurality of alternating conductive layers. Piezoelectric layers are interleaved with the conductive layers. Apertures are provided in the piezoelectric layers. A first conductive plug electrically connects the first plurality of alternating conductive layers, includes a first plurality of segments, and is in apertures in the piezoelectric layers. Each of the first plurality of segments extends through one of the piezoelectric layers. A second conductive plug electrically connects the second plurality of alternating conductive layers, includes a second plurality of segments, and is in a second portion of the plurality of apertures. Each of the second plurality of segments extends through one of the plurality of piezoelectric layers.

Abstract: A ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic base, first and second internal electrodes, and first and second external electrodes. The first external electrode is disposed at a first end portion of a first major surface in the longitudinal direction. The second external electrode is disposed at a second end portion of the first major surface in the longitudinal direction. A portion of each of the first and second external electrodes is opposed in the thickness direction to a region where the first and second internal electrodes are opposed to each other in the thickness direction. A condition ( 1/10)t0?t1?(?)t0 is satisfied, where t0 is the thickness of each of the first and second external electrodes and t1 is the thickness of a portion in which each of the first and second external electrodes is embedded in the first major surface.

Abstract: In manufacturing method of a cylindrical piezoelectric element, a cylindrical piezoelectric material is formed by molding a piezoelectric material into a cylindrical shape and subjecting the molded piezoelectric material to calcination. A reference electrode is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical piezoelectric material. Drive electrodes are provided in a circumferential direction so that the drive electrodes are extending in an axial direction from one end to the other end on an outer circumferential surface. A polarization electrode is provided at a part of the circumferential surface in the vicinity of the one end. A predetermined voltage is applied between the polarization electrode and the reference electrode. The polarization electrode is removed from the cylindrical piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A piezoelectric component (1), which serves particularly as a piezoelectric sensor or piezoelectric actuator, comprises a basic body (6) which has a first ceramic layer (7), a second ceramic layer (8) and an internal electrode layer (9). In this case, the internal electrode layer (9) is provided at least partially between the first ceramic layer (7) and the second ceramic layer (8). The basic body (6) has a bore (10) which is provided at least partially in the region of the internal electrode layers (9). Furthermore, an electrical contact element (13) is inserted at least partially into the bore (10) of the basic body (6) and is connected electrically at least indirectly to the internal electrode layer (9) in the bore (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining phase sensitivity of an accelerometer based on an analysis of the harmonic components of the interference signal, which can estimate phase lags of an accelerometer through an analysis of the interference signal obtained using a single photo-detector when the accelerometer moves in sinusoidal motion with an initial phase of vibration. The method comprises the steps of obtaining an interference signal in a time domain generated from a signal reflected by an accelerometer and a fixed mirror using a single photo-detector; transforming the interference signal in the time domain into a signal in a frequency domain including a plurality of harmonic signals by Fourier transform; and determining the phase sensitivity of the accelerometer using initial phase of vibration displacement of the accelerometer, which is included in the interference signal in the frequency domain.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a structure for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based resonator device. The structure for the MEMS-based resonator device includes at least one resonator unit. The at least one resonator unit comprises a substrate having a trench therein. A pair of first electrodes is disposed on a pair of sidewalls of the trench. A piezoelectric material fills the trench, covering the pair of first electrodes. A second electrode is embedded in the piezoelectric material, separated from the pair of first electrodes by the piezoelectric material. The second electrode disposed in the trench is parallel to the pair of first electrodes.

Abstract: The piezoelectric device (100) stores a piezoelectric vibrating piece (10) which vibrates whenever an electrical voltage is applied. The piezoelectric device comprises: a package lid (11) having a first peripheral surface (M1) which surrounds a plane surface in a predetermined width; and a package base (12) comprising a second peripheral surface (M2) bonded to the first peripheral surface of the package lid and a recess portion recessed from the second peripheral surface. The first peripheral surface of the package lid and the second peripheral surface of the package base are rough surfaces, respective metal films (AC1, AC2) are formed on each rough surface, and the package lid and the package base are bonded using a sealing material (LG) formed between the metal films.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer piezoelectric element capable of achieving a high response speed and an increase in the displacement amount, ensuring sufficient mechanical strength, and suppressing deterioration of characteristics. A multi-layer piezoelectric element includes a stacked body in which piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers are alternately laminated, and the piezoelectric layers include a polarization domain extending over a plurality of crystal particles. Since the piezoelectric layers include the polarization domain extending over the plurality of crystal particles, the multi-layer piezoelectric element can achieve a high response speed and an increase in the displacement amount, ensure sufficient mechanical strength, and suppress deterioration of characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piezoelectric transformer comprising an elongate piezoelectric ceramic body adapted to operate in fundamental thickness mode. The elongate piezoelectric ceramic body comprises a central input or primary section coupled to adjacently arranged first and second output sections. High power conversion efficiency and zero-voltage switching capability is achieved by providing a primary side effective electromechanical coupling factor keff—P, which is larger than a secondary side electromechanical coupling factor, keff—S.

Abstract: An artificial muscle structure has an electro-active polymer (EAP) layer having a frusto-conical shape and whose tip has an opening formed therein for use as a camera variable aperture. First, second and third electrode segments are formed on a rear face of the EAP layer. The second segment is positioned in a gap between the first and third segments so as to be electrically isolated from the first and third segments. The second segment has an opening formed therein that is aligned with the opening in the EAP layer. A complementary electrode is formed on a front face of the EAP layer. Other embodiments are also described.