Abstract: Embodiments are directed to deformable haptic structures used within an electronic device. The haptic structures may provide input and output for the electronic device. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a keyboard having a housing and a keycap positioned within an opening of the housing. The keyboard may include a haptic structure coupled with the housing and the keycap. The haptic structure may include a compliant layer and a pair of electrodes separated by the compliant layer. The pair of electrodes may be configured to compress the compliant layer in response to an input signal. The compression of the compliant layer caused by the pair of electrodes may move the keycap relative to the housing.

Abstract: The disclosed haptic vibrotactile actuator may include a textile comprising a first major surface and a second, opposite major surface, an electrode coupled to the first major surface of the textile across at least a majority of a surface area of a first surface of the electrode, and a flexible electroactive material electrically coupled to a second, opposite surface of the electrode. Various other related methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a functional self-test, including (1) generation of an excitation signal, (2) applying the excitation signal to a unit under test (UUT), the excitation signal including a cyclical signal for a first interval and substantially zero signal for a second interval, (3) determining frequency content of a UUT response signal, and (4) generating a fail result in response to the frequency content below a predetermined threshold. In an illustrative example, the UUT may be a piezoelectric element (PE). The UUT response signal may be processed by a filter, for example. A portion of the filtered UUT response signal, responding to the second interval of the excitation signal, may be analyzed by a fast Fourier transform module (FFTm), for example. In various implementations, the functional self-test may advantageously determine the health of a piezoelectric gas sensing element, periodically, in a field-deployed implementation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the following operations. An intermediate layer is formed in the semiconductor device. A voltage is applied to the intermediate layer. A unit cell of the intermediate layer is stretched or compressed by the voltage. The polarity of the intermediate layer is changed by the voltage.

Abstract: The invention describes a piezo driving circuit, comprising an input at which a temporally variable voltage signal is applied; a piezo interface for connecting terminals of a piezo actuator arrangement with at least one voltage controlled piezo actuator; a sync control circuit realized to detect the phase position of the voltage signal; and an inverter circuit between the input and the piezo interface; whereby the sync control circuit is realized to control the inverter circuit, based on the phase position of the voltage signal, such that a control voltage with a predefined voltage curve is applied at the piezo interface. The invention further describes a method of controlling a piezo actuator arrangement. The invention also describes a piezo actuator configuration comprising a piezo actuator arrangement and an inventive piezo driving circuit. The invention also describes a metering valve comprising the inventive piezo actuator configuration.

Abstract: A measuring circuit comprising a sensing element configured to generate a measuring signal from a measuring object, a signal injector configured to generate an auxiliary signal, and an evaluation circuit comprising a first upstream amplifier with a first input connected to a first pole of the sensing element via a first signal line and a second upstream amplifier with a first input connected to a second pole of the sensing element via a second signal line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of surely detecting a crack in piezoelectric elements regardless of size of the crack. The method includes applying voltage to a first piezoelectric element of a pair of piezoelectric elements to cause deformation in the first piezoelectric element, forcibly deforming a second piezoelectric element of the pair of the piezoelectric elements to generate voltage from the second piezoelectric element according to the deformation of the first piezoelectric element, finding a transfer function of the pair of the piezoelectric elements based on values of the applied voltage and the generated voltage, and detecting presence or absence of a crack in the pair of the piezoelectric elements based on an objective value obtained from the found transfer function.

Abstract: A method for controlling the injection quantity of a piezoinjector of a fuel injection system, which comprises a nozzle needle displaceable by a piezoactuator. Based on the instantaneous injection quantity, a selection is made among various control methods. In a ballistic injector mode, a first control method is carried out, wherein both a needle closing point in time is equalized and a needle travel time is also equalized. In a full stroke injector mode, a second control method is carried out, wherein a needle closing point in time is equalized, but the needle travel time is not equalized.

Abstract: A gas sensing system includes an air intake hole which comprises a plurality of micro-flow channels, a replaceable sensor for receiving an air from the air intake hole and detecting the received air, and a processing unit coupled to the replaceable sensor and doing determination for the component of the air according to a detection result of the replaceable sensor. Wherein, the replaceable sensor includes a plurality of sensing chips arranged in an array and each sensing chip is coated with a sensing thin film separately to detect a different gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an inertial sensor using a polling method of a piezoelectric element performing a polling after packaging the piezoelectric element, the method of manufacturing an inertial sensor including: forming a driving electrode and a sensing electrode on a flexible substrate on which a piezoelectric material is deposited; electrically connection the driving electrode and the sensing electrode; packaging the flexible substrate; polling by applying voltage and heat to the driving electrode and the sensing electrode; and electrically separating the driving electrode from the sensing electrode by applying heat to the driving electrode and the sensing electrode.

Abstract: A method detects one or more cracks in a piezoelectric element interposed between a pair of electrodes and deforms according to a voltage applied thereto through the pair of electrodes. The method includes steps of applying a voltage at least at a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element to the piezoelectric element through the pair of electrodes, measuring a dielectric tangent between the pair of electrodes under the applied voltage, and detecting if there are cracks in the piezoelectric element according to the measured dielectric tangent. The dielectric tangent of the piezoelectric element at the resonance frequency has a large peak or no peak depending on whether or not the piezoelectric element has cracks. Accordingly, the method easily and surely detects if the piezoelectric element has cracks according to the dielectric tangent of the piezoelectric element measured at the resonance frequency.

Abstract: An actuator is manufactured that includes piezoelectric film that does not suffer physical damage. Provided is a manufacturing method comprising first insulating layer deposition of depositing a first insulating layer on a substrate using an insulating material; first annealing of annealing the first insulating layer; first electrode layer deposition of depositing a first electrode layer on the first insulating layer using a conductive material; first piezoelectric film deposition of depositing a first piezoelectric film on the first electrode layer by applying a sol-gel material on the first electrode layer and annealing the sol-gel material; second electrode layer deposition of depositing a second electrode layer on the first piezoelectric film using a conductive material; second insulating layer deposition of depositing a second insulating layer on the second electrode layer using an insulating material; and second annealing of annealing the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A plug-in module for a liquid- or gas-sensor comprised of a sensor module (SM) and a sensor module head (SMH), which can be releasably connected together, and which, when connected, enable data and energy transfer via a galvanically decoupled transfer section, wherein the sensor module head (SMH) includes an energy supply unit for operating the sensor module head (SMH) and the sensor module (SM), as well as a data memory (MEM), in order to store sensor data received from the sensor module (SM).

Abstract: To restrict a bowing amount of a piezoelectric actuator, provided is a switching apparatus comprising a contact point section including a first contact point; and an actuator that moves a second contact point to contact or move away from the first contact point. The actuator includes a first piezoelectric film that expands and contracts according to a drive voltage to change a bowing amount of the actuator, and a second piezoelectric film that is provided in parallel with the first piezoelectric film and restricts bowing of the actuator when the drive voltage is not being supplied to the first piezoelectric film.

Abstract: There is provided a method for testing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator, wherein the displacement of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator is estimated on the basis of the relations between one or more frequency characteristic values selected from the group consisting of the heights and areas of the peaks of the resonance waveforms and the difference of the maximum and minimum of the first order or first to higher orders of the resonance frequency characteristic values of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator and the k-th order (k=1 to 4) of the first or first to higher orders of resonance frequencies. According to this piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator testing method, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator can be tested with high precision without actually driving the same as a product and without being accompanied by any disassembly/breakage.

Abstract: A method for characterizing polarities of piezoelectric (PZT) elements of a two-element PZT microactuator mechanically coupled to a structure may include calculating an impedance of the two PZT element microactuator over a predetermined frequency range; summing the calculated impedance over the predetermined frequency range; and characterizing the polarities of the PZT elements of the two PZT element microactuator as being different if the summed impedance is greater than a threshold value and as being the same if the summed impedance is less than or equal to the threshold value.

Abstract: There are provided methods for creating energy conversion devices based on the giant flexoelectric effect in non-calamitic liquid crystals. By preparing a substance comprising at least one type of non-calamitic liquid crystal molecules and stabilizing the substance to form a mechanically flexible material, flexible conductive electrodes may be applied to the material to create an electro-mechanical energy conversion device which relies on the giant flexoelectric effect to produce electrical and/or mechanical energy that is usable in such applications as, for example, power sources, energy dissipation, sensors/transducers, and actuators.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator unit includes: a wiring board; a piezoelectric actuator which is provided with a piezoelectric layer, a plurality of individual electrodes provided to the piezoelectric layer, a common electrode which faces the plurality of individual electrodes sandwiching the piezoelectric layer between the common electrode and individual electrodes, and which is divided into a plurality of split electrodes, a plurality of individual contact points which are in conduction with the individual electrodes, and which are to be connected to the wiring board, and a plurality of reinforcing contact points which are connected to the wiring board to reinforce a connection with the wiring board; and a conduction mechanism which brings the plurality of split electrodes into conduction. Each of the split electrodes is in conduction with at least one of the reinforcing contact points.

Abstract: An output circuit of a charge mode sensor includes a second resistor and an operational amplifier. The second resistor connects an output portion of the charge mode sensor and a ground. The operational amplifier is configured to output a detection signal that varies in accordance with an amount of charge kept in the charge mode sensor. The operational amplifier includes an inverting input portion, a non-inverting input portion, and an output portion. The inverting input portion is connected to the output portion of the charge mode sensor via a sensor cable. The non-inverting input portion is connected to a reference voltage. The output portion is connected to the inverting input portion via a first resistor.

Abstract: A test ramp is disclosed comprising a plurality of planar surfaces, wherein each planar surface comprises at least one impediment. Each impediment is offset along a planar axis from the other impediments, and each impediment is operable to contact part of a respective actuator arm of a disk drive in order to excite a microactuator coupled to the actuator arm.

Abstract: There is provided a method for testing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator, wherein the displacement of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator is estimated on the basis of the relations between one or more frequency characteristic values selected from the group consisting of the heights and areas of the peaks of the resonance waveforms and the difference of the maximum and minimum of the first order or first to higher orders of the resonance frequency characteristic values of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator and the k-th order (k=1 to 4) of the first or first to higher orders of resonance frequencies. According to this piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator testing method, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator can be tested with high precision without actually driving the same as a product and without being accompanied by any disassembly/breakage.

Abstract: A system for in-situ near-real-time detection and monitoring of corrosion in structures with the ability to directly track the presence and growth of corrosion on a structure by measurement of material loss in the structure attained by analysis of high frequency wave propagation dynamics. The Corrosion Inspection and Monitoring (CIM) system utilizes low-weight in-situ transducers and unique data reduction software for detection and monitoring of corrosion in structural systems in near real-time for corrosion related damage. The CIM system provides a corrosion monitoring and tracking tool that can be deployed in the field with the structural system, and no maintenance personnel are needed for corrosion analysis.

Abstract: A processing device is provided with a circuit connected to a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. An AC voltage source produces an AC waveform voltage obtained by adding a bias voltage to an AC voltage for capacitance measurement. The AC waveform voltage is applied between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion through the measurement probes. The moment the AC waveform voltage is applied to the circuit with a switch closed, an inrush current flows through the circuit based on a potential difference of the bias voltage. This inrush current causes dielectric breakdown in the conductive resin, thereby securing the continuity of the conductive resin. With the continuity of the conductive resin secured, a capacitance of the piezoelectric body is measured by the AC waveform voltage, and it is determined whether or not the piezoelectric body is normal.

Abstract: Viscosity and elasticity of a liquid are measured by immersing and vibrating a liquid tester in the liquid to be tested and measuring three frequency values that are a resonance frequency value on an amplitude characteristic curve obtained through vibration of the liquid tester in the liquid being tested, a low frequency value lower than the resonance frequency value on the amplitude characteristic curve at a phase angle smaller than a phase angle of 90 degrees at a resonance point on a phase angle characteristic curve obtained through the vibration in the liquid being tested, and a high frequency value higher than the resonance frequency value on the amplitude characteristic curve at a phase angle larger than the phase angle at the resonance point on the phase angle characteristic curve.

Abstract: A method for assessing the status of a piezoelectric sensor of interest is disclosed. The sensor of interest is located adjacent a surface of a mattress supporting a person. In some instances, the sensor of interest may be coupled to a mattress or coupled to a bed frame that supports the mattress. The method involves analyzing the complex impedance of the excited sensor relative to a complex impedance profile. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method detects one or more cracks in a piezoelectric element interposed between a pair of electrodes and deforms according to a voltage applied thereto through the pair of electrodes. The method includes steps of applying a voltage at least at a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element to the piezoelectric element through the pair of electrodes, measuring a dielectric tangent between the pair of electrodes under the applied voltage, and detecting if there are cracks in the piezoelectric element according to the measured dielectric tangent. The dielectric tangent of the piezoelectric element at the resonance frequency has a large peak or no peak depending on whether or not the piezoelectric element has cracks. Accordingly, the method easily and surely detects if the piezoelectric element has cracks according to the dielectric tangent of the piezoelectric element measured at the resonance frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for antenna analysis and electromagnetic compatibility testing in a wireless device utilizes a “parent” device that undergoes rigorous conventional testing. A “child” device having similar components may thereafter undergo abbreviated testing. Because the Total Isotropic Sensitivity of the parent device is known, testing may be performed on the child device to infer equivalence to the parent's TIS performance using the abbreviated test techniques.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator unit includes: a wiring board; a piezoelectric actuator which is provided with a piezoelectric layer, a plurality of individual electrodes provided to the piezoelectric layer, a common electrode which faces the plurality of individual electrodes sandwiching the piezoelectric layer between the common electrode and individual electrodes, and which is divided into a plurality of split electrodes, a plurality of individual contact points which are in conduction with the individual electrodes, and which are to be connected to the wiring board, and a plurality of reinforcing contact points which are connected to the wiring board to reinforce a connection with the wiring board; and a conduction mechanism which brings the plurality of split electrodes into conduction. Each of the split electrodes is in conduction with at least one of the reinforcing contact points.

Abstract: An actuator element includes: a piezoelectric body; a pair of electrodes mutually opposing to each other via the piezoelectric body; a diaphragm to which the piezoelectric body sandwiched between the pair of electrodes is bonded; and a base substrate arranged to oppose a movable part including the piezoelectric body and the diaphragm, the movable part being displaced in a direction toward the base substrate by application of a drive voltage to the pair of electrodes, wherein polarization (Pr)-electric field (E) hysteresis characteristics of the piezoelectric body are biased with respect to an electric field, and by application of a voltage in an opposite direction to the drive voltage, to the pair of electrodes, the movable part is displaced in a direction away from the base substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for in situ test of transducers comprising sensing elements and associated conditioning preamplifiers. The invention makes it possible to evaluate the characteristics of the complete transducer by means of higher integration of the transducer circuitry. Tests can be performed from a remote central location without additional wiring and while the transducer is in operating environment. Testing is performed by superposing test signals and test sequence control signals on the wiring for the transducer output signal, hereby offering flexibility without sacrificing simplicity. Test signalling is by additional circuitry in the transducer interpreted and routed to the input of the conditioning preamplifier based on signalling from the remote test generator, and the signals engendered from the test signals can be analyzed from a remote analyzing system for complete qualifications of the transducer under test.

Abstract: There are provided methods for creating energy conversion devices based on the giant flexoelectric effect in non-calamitic liquid crystals. By preparing a substance comprising at least one type of non-calamitic liquid crystal molecules and stabilizing the substance to form a mechanically flexible material, flexible conductive electrodes may be applied to the material to create an electro-mechanical energy conversion device which relies on the giant flexoelectric effect to produce electrical and/or mechanical energy that is usable in such applications as, for example, power sources, energy dissipation, sensors/transducers, and actuators.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying problems with PZT elements of micro-actuators are provided. In certain example embodiments, a voltage (e.g., a sine voltage) may be applied to a reference unit causing it as well as a test unit to vibrate. Characteristics of the respective resonances (e.g., frequency, amplitude, phase, etc.) may be compared (e.g., by a processor) to determine whether there are problems with the test unit. The reference unit may include an HGA or an HSA of a hard disk drive device. The test unit may include corresponding parts for inspection. Such techniques make it possible to detect problems with PZT elements when there is only one PZT element per micro-actuator.

Abstract: There are provided methods for creating energy conversion devices based on the giant flexoelectric effect in non-calamitic liquid crystals. By preparing a substance comprising at least one type of non-calamitic liquid crystal molecules and stabilizing the substance to form a mechanically flexible material, flexible conductive electrodes may be applied to the material to create an electro-mechanical energy conversion device which relies on the giant flexoelectric effect to produce electrical and/or mechanical energy that is usable in such applications as, for example, power sources, energy dissipation, sensors/transducers, and actuators.

Abstract: A method for assessing the status of a piezoelectric sensor of interest 26, comprises the steps of 1) establishing a complex impedance profile expected to be exhibited by an acceptable sensor subjected to a test signal, 2) exciting the sensor of interest with a periodic excitation signal correlatable to the test signal, 3) analyzing the complex impedance of the excited sensor relative to the complex impedance profile, and 4) reaching a conclusion about the status of the sensor of interest based on the analysis.

Abstract: A crystal oscillator tester includes first and second test pins, first and second transistors, an indicator, a first diode, and first-third capacitors. The first test pin is connected to a power source. The collector of the first transistor is connected to the first test pin. The base of the second transistor is connected to the second test pin. The emitter of the first transistor is grounded via the indicator. The base of the first transistor is connected to the cathode of the first diode. The anode of the first diode is connected to the first test pin via the first and second capacitors one by one in series. The emitter of the second transistor is connected to a node between the first and second capacitors. The collector of the second transistor is grounded. The third capacitor is connected between the base and emitter of the second transistor.

Abstract: A stress measurement device includes a current supply portion; a series circuit which is connected to the current supply portion and has a piezoresistive element that forms a single gauge resistance and a compensating diode that is connected in series to the piezoresistive element; and a voltage measuring portion that measures voltage between both ends of the series circuit. The single gauge resistance has a piezoresistive effect in which a resistance value changes according to applied stress, and a positive temperature characteristic in which the resistance value increases depending on an increase in temperature. The compensating diode is provided in a forward direction with respect to the current supply portion and has a negative temperature characteristic in which a voltage between an anode and a cathode of the compensating diode decreases depending on the increase in temperature.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acoustical stack for use within an ultrasound transducer comprises using a user defined center operating frequency of an ultrasound transducer that is at least about 2.9 MHz. A piezoelectric material and a dematching material are joined with an assembly material to form an acoustical connection therebetween. The piezoelectric material has a first acoustical impedance and *at least one of* an associated piezoelectric rugosity (Ra) and piezoelectric waviness (Wa). The dematching material has a second acoustical impedance that is different than the first acoustical impedance and at least one of an associated dematching Ra and dematching Wa. The piezoelectric and dematching materials have an impedance ratio of at least 2. The assembly material has a thickness that is based on the center operating frequency and at least one of the piezoelectric Ra, piezoelectric Wa, dematching Ra and dematching Wa.

Abstract: A micromechanical device may include one or more piezoresistive elements whose electrical resistance changes in response to externally or internally induced strain. The present invention leverages the piezoresistive properties of such devices to sense the positional state of the device. A sensing circuit may be integrated into the device that senses an electrical resistance of at least a portion of the micromechanical device and provides information regarding the positional state of the micromechanical device. The micromechanical device may be a compliant device that includes relatively flexible members such as mechanical beams or ribbons. The positional states may be continuous positional states (such as the position of an actuator) or discreet positional states (such as the positional state of a bistable memory device). In certain embodiments, the micromechanical device is a threshold detector that latches to a particular stable configuration when an applied force exceeds a selected value.

Abstract: To carry out frequency adjustment easily, accurately and efficiently without being influenced by a size of a piezoelectric vibrating piece and achieve low cost formation and promotion of maintenance performance, there is provided a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece which is a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece having a piezoelectric vibrating plate 11, a pair of exciting electrodes 12, 13, and a pair of mount electrodes 15, 16 by utilizing a wafer S, the method including an outer shape forming step of forming a frame portion S1 at a wafer and forming a plurality of piezoelectric plates at the frame portion to be connected thereto by way of a connecting portion 11a, an electrode forming step of forming pairs of exciting electrodes and pairs of mount electrodes respectively at the plurality of piezoelectric plates and forming a common electrode S2 respectively electrically connected to a plurality of the pairs of mount electrodes 15 on one side by way of the connecting por

Abstract: To carry out frequency adjustment easily, accurately and efficiently and achieve low cost formation and promotion of maintenance performance without being influenced by a size of a piezoelectric vibrating piece, there is provided a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece which is a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating pieces having a piezoelectric plate 11, a pair of exciting electrodes 12, 13, and a pair of mount electrodes electrodes 15, 16 by utilizing a wafer S, the method including an outer shape forming step of forming a frame portion S1 at the wafer and forming a plurality of piezoelectric plates to be connected to the frame portion by way of a connecting portion 11a, an electrode forming step of respectively forming pairs of exciting electrodes and pairs of mount electrodes to the plurality of piezoelectric plates and forming a plurality of pairs of extended electrodes S2, S3 to be respectively electrically connected to the pairs of mount electrodes by way of the connecting po

Abstract: A vibration device comprising; a vibrator which generates bending vibration on a predetermined member, a controller which controls a driver to drive the vibrator, wherein; the vibrator comprises a plurality of driving electrodes electrically insulated respectively, the controller controls the driver to make phases of driving signals respectively output to the plurality of driving electrodes changeable relatively and adjust an order of the bending vibration.

Abstract: Individual measuring sensors each have a different specific signal type and must therefore be appropriately connected to the analog measuring inputs. An adjustable voltage with adjustable current limitation, or an adjustable current with adjustable voltage clamping is used. The voltage or current is connected to the measuring sensors and the corresponding signal is detected and classified according to the sensor type. This permits the automated integration of the measuring sensor. The corresponding assembly can form part of the complete module.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a piezoelectric element includes first-inspection-signal application step of applying to the piezoelectric element a first inspection signal Vp(1) having a first predetermined voltage waveform; first-characteristic-value measurement step of measuring, as a first characteristic value, an electrical characteristic value of the piezoelectric element after application of the first inspection signal; second-inspection-signal application step of applying to the piezoelectric element a second inspection signal Vp(2) having a second predetermined voltage waveform and an electrical power greater than that of the first inspection signal; second-characteristic-value measurement step of measuring, as a second characteristic value, the electrical characteristic value of the piezoelectric element after application of the second inspection signal; and anomaly determination step of determining whether or not the piezoelectric element is anomalous on the basis of a value corresponding to the difference

Abstract: A method for inspecting a piezoelectric element includes first-inspection-signal application step of applying to the piezoelectric element a first inspection signal Vp(1) having a first predetermined voltage waveform; first-characteristic-value measurement step of measuring, as a first characteristic value, an electrical characteristic value of the piezoelectric element after application of the first inspection signal; second-inspection-signal application step of applying to the piezoelectric element a second inspection signal Vp(2) having a second predetermined voltage waveform and an electrical power greater than that of the first inspection signal; second-characteristic-value measurement step of measuring, as a second characteristic value, the electrical characteristic value of the piezoelectric element after application of the second inspection signal; and anomaly determination step of determining whether or not the piezoelectric element is anomalous on the basis of a value corresponding to the difference

Abstract: Devices and methods for energy conversion based on the giant flexoelectric effect in non-calamitic liquid crystals. By preparing a substance comprising at least one type of non-calamitic liquid crystal molecules and stabilizing the substance to form a mechanically flexible material, flexible conductive electrodes may be applied to the material to create an electro-mechanical energy conversion device which relies on the giant flexoelectric effect to produce electrical and/or mechanical energy that is usable in such applications as, for example, power sources, energy dissipation, sensors/transducers, and actuators. The ability to directly and accurately measure the giant flexoelectric effect for different types of non-calamitic liquid crystal molecules is important for identifying molecules that may be effective for particular applications.

Abstract: A surface-acoustic-wave device comprises a piezoelectric substrate and first and second comb-shaped electrodes each having a bus-bar portion parallel to a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave in the substrate. Respective electrode fingers are periodically formed on the piezoelectric substrate and extend in directions perpendicular to the propagation direction, wherein the electrode fingers of the first comb-shaped electrode and the electrode fingers of the second comb-shaped electrode are separated away from the bus-bar portion of the opposing comb-shaped electrode. The respective electrode fingers being periodically arrayed in the propagation direction of the surface-acoustic-wave, and the electrode fingers of each comb-shaped electrode are inclined at root portions thereof outwardly right and left from the bus-bar portion of the corresponding comb-shaped electrode so that the inclined portions of the electrode fingers face a direction of a leaking surface-acoustic-wave perpendicularly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening samples to determine which samples include a target material. Generally, the samples are pre-screened to determine which of the samples have a piezoelectric resonance when irradiated with an electric field, to thereby indicate the presence of the target material. The samples that have the piezoelectric resonance are then further screened by a different process to confirm the presence of the target material. For example, samples that have the piezoelectric resonance are further screened for a specific nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), a specific nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or a specific visual characteristic, to confirm the presence of the target material in the sample. The apparatus and method can be used, for example, to search luggage at ports of entry for the presence of cocaine hydrochloride or heroin hydrochloride.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for a measurement system for the testing of transducers, and more particularly to the testing of piezoelectric transducers. The measurement system includes a transducer, a feedback amplifier coupled to the transducer and a signal processing circuit coupled to the output of the amplifier. The method of testing the transducer includes coupling the test signal to the transducer, disabling the amplifier, and measuring the response of the transducer to the test signal with the test processing circuit.

Abstract: In a method of evaluating a piezoelectric field, non-destructive spectrometry of piezoelectric fields is performed in a semiconductor heterojunction using a technique different from PR spectroscopy. In the method, at first, first and second absorption spectra are measured by irradiating the sample with infrared light at first and second angles, respectively. Then, a peak position of an absorption band having incident-angle dependent intensity is specified, based on the first and second absorption spectra. Thus, the piezoelectric field strength is obtained using a relationship between the piezoelectric field and an electron energy level corresponding to the peak position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which are operable to determine a capacitance associated with at least one piezoelectric element in an dual actuator disk drive. The capacitance information is used to adjust a driver used to drive the piezoelectric element. Capacitance is determined by supplying a predetermined current into the piezoelectric element(s) for a predetermined time period. A voltage associated with the piezoelectric element(s) is measured following the predetermined time period. The capacitance of the piezoelectric element(s) is then calculated based on the measured voltage, the current supplied, and the predetermined time period.