Polymeraktor in Stapelbauweise und Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung

Gegenstand der Erfindung ist ein Polymeraktor in Stapelbauform. Der Stapel (11) ist durch eine abwechselnde Folge von insbesondere elektroaktiven Polymerlagen (12) und Elektrodenlagen (13a, 13b) gebildet. Der Polymeraktor lässt sich vorteilhaft einfach herstellen, wenn die Elektrodenlagen (13a, 13b) abwechselnd zum einen Rand der Polymerlage oder zum anderen Rand der jeweiligen Polymerlage geführt werden, während sie vom gegenüberliegenden Rand beabstandet sind. Durch einfache Beschichtung (18a, 18b) der Seitenflächen des Stapels können die Elektroden abwechselnd gegenpolig elektrisch verbunden werden, wobei der jeweilige Abstand der Elektrodenlagen zum gegenüberliegenden Rand für eine jeweilige Isolation zwischen der Elektrodenlage (beispielsweise 13b) und der Elektrodenbeschichtung (beispielsweise 18a) sorgt, mit der die Elektrodenlage nicht kontaktiert werden soll. Eine besonders zuverlässige Kontaktierung der Elektrodenlage (13) ist möglich, wenn der Stapel (11) einen treppenartigen ...

Verfahren zum Polarisieren von mindestens einem Teilgebiet von Folien aus ferroelektrischen Stoffen sowie Verfahren zur Herstellung von polarisierten Elementen für piezoelektrische oder pyroelektrische Aufnehmer beziehungsweise Geber

PIEZOELEKTRISCHE KOMPOSITMATERIALIEN UND HERSTELLUNGSVERFAHREN DAFÜR

VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR KONTINUIERLICHEN POLARISIERUNG EINES THERMOPLASTISCHEN FILMES

EINGEROLLTE ELEKTROAKTIVE POLYMERE

Method of producing polymeric electret elements

In producing an electret element having piezoelectric properties by subjecting a vinylidene cyanide copolymer to a polarization treatment, the copolymer is heat-treated at a temperature below the glass transition temperature thereof prior to or simultaneously with the polarization treatment to thereby increase the longitudinal piezoelectric effect (Kt).

Piezoelectric and pyroelectric film, sheet or strip and method for the preparation thereof

A piezoelectric and pyroelectric film made from a resin composition of polymer of vinylidene fluoride, which is characterized by an index of birefringence of larger than 3x10-3 and a ratio of d31/d32 of 0.3 to 3.0, and which may be prepared by further stretching a biaxially stretched film made from the above-mentioned resin composition at a temperature lower than the temperature of the biaxially stretching by more than 20 DEG C. before or at the same time of a treatment for orientation polarization of the film.

DOUBLY ORIENTED POLYVINYLIDENE FLOURIDE

PIEZOELECTRIC POLYMER TRANSDUCERS

METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY POLARIZING THERMOPLASTIC FILM

... 1507326 Piezoelectric devices KUREHA KAGAKU KOGYO KK 9 Sept 1975 [11 Sept 1974] 36984/75 Heading H1E A continuous, piezoelectric, thermoplastic film 1 has conductive material on both sides, and on at least one side the conductive material is in sections 3 divided by gaps 4, and the film is polarized by passing through a D.C. electric field applied to the conductive material by rollers 7 and 8 or 8<1> while in an ambient temperature higher than 50‹ C. but below the softening temperature of the film. In Fig. 2 the film is heated in an oven 9 but it can be heated by passing around a heated drum, Fig. 3 (not shown). Arrangements can be provided for cooling and electrically discharging the film after polarization.

ELECTRICALACTIVE POLYMERS

PRODUCTION ON BOTH SIDES OF A POLYMER FOIL TO PRODUCTION OF METALLIC ELECTRODE STRUCTURES.

Procedure for the production of a diaphragm for an acoustic transducer, consisting of plastic

PROCEDURE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A PYROELECTRIC MIXTURE

Electromechanical transducer comprising a polyurethane polymer with polyester and/or polycarbonate units

The present invention relates to an electromechanical transducer comprising a dielectric elastomer with contact by a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the dielectric elastomer comprises a polyurethane polymer. In this case, the polyurethane polymer comprises at least one polyester and/or polycarbonate unit. The invention also relates to a process for producing such an electromechanical transducer, to the use of the dielectric elastomer used and also to an electrical and/or electronic apparatus comprising an electromechanical transducer according to the invention.

PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER WITH POLYMER ELEMENT AND METHOD OF FABRICATION OF SAID TRANSDUCER

NONFIBROUS, PIEZOELECTRIC POLYMER SHEET OF IMPROVED ACTIVITY AND THE PROCESS OF PREPARING IT

A nonfibrous, unoriented sheet of a copolymer resin of about 65 to 85 mol percent of vinylidene fluoride and from 15 to about 35 mol percent of at least one other copolymerizable substituted monoolefinic monomer, said sheet having improved and uniform piezoelectric properties for hydrophonic use, and the process for preparing said sheet with improved piezoelectric and dielectric breakdown strength properties wherein it is heated for at least about 20 minutes within the temperature range of above the crystalline melting temperature and below a defined temperature, cooled to below the Curie temperature and then electrically poled, are disclosed herein.

COAXIAL CABLE

... 20086-2019 A piezoelectric coaxial cable comprises a central stretchable electrical conductor, preferably formed from a low melting point metal alloy, a piezoelectric intermediate layer, preferably formed from a vinylidene fluoride polymer which has been stretched and radially polarized to render it piezoelectric, and an outer electrical conductor. The intermediate layer has a ratio R of its internal radius to its external radius which is preferably not more than 0.5 and especially not more than 0.4. This construction enables coaxial cables to be formed without voiding or breaking of the internal conductor during stretching.

CORONA DISCHARGE POLING PROCESS

The present invention provides a process for preparing piezoelectric film using a corona discharge device wherein a multi-layer of pellicles, of which at least one or more is a piezoelectric sensitive film and at least one other of the multi-layer is a companion pellicle (i.e. a pellicle with a conductance no less than that of the piezoelectric sensitive pellicle when the conductance is measured under the poling condition of the corona discharge and in the direction of the discharge field), is subjected to a corona discharge between a pair of electrodes of which at least one such electrode has a textured surface.

POLING MACHINE

An apparatus and method for continuously poling a film of material exhibiting pyroelectric and/or piezoelectric characteristics are disclosed. The apparatus includes a drive for advancing the film, a hot poling roller, a cold fixing roller, and a pair of electrodes that establish an electric field across the film while it is heated by the hot roller. In a first embodiment, one side of the firm is coated with a conductive layer that is electrically grounded to serve as a ground electrode and the poling roller serves as a high voltage electrode for establishing the electrica. field across the film. In a second embodiment, the poling roller is electrically grounded and a plurality of corona charging devices are employed as the high voltage electrode. In both embodiments, the high voltage electrode is separated from direct physical contact with the film by an insulating layer in order to avoid serious damage to the film due to electrical arcing that can occur through a defective or thinner ...

METHOD FOR PRODUCING THERMOPLASTIC FILM ELECTRIC ELEMENT

Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Membran für einen akustischen Wandler

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A DIAPHRAGM END OF ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER AND ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER COMPRISING SUCH A DIAPHRAGM.

Method for biasing at least one area of a sheet of ferroelectric material and application of the method for producing a component polarized piezoelectric or pyroelectric sensor.

Method to depolarize a ferroelectric material electrically and its application to obtain ferroelectric dielectric strength reinforced.

Procedure for the production of a dielectric elastomer pile actuator.

Ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines mehrschichtigen dielektrischen Elastomerstapelaktors, umfassend eine Mehrzahl von Dielektrikumlagen (40) bestehend aus mindestens einem verfestigten Elastomer, welche eingebettet zwischen einer Mehrzahl von Elektrodenlagen (41, 42) angeordnet ist, soll derart weiterentwickelt werden, dass es vereinfacht ausgeführt werden kann. Dies wird durch i) Aufbringen eines flüssigen unvernetzten Elastomers zur Bildung der Dielektrikumlage (40) mit reproduzierbarer Lagendicke (d) kleiner als 50 µm mittels einer Rastervorrichtung auf ein Substrat, daran direkt anschliessendes ii) Aufbringen von elektrisch leitfähigen Materialpartikeln auf die Oberfläche der Dielektrikumlage (40) aus flüssigem Elastomer, zur Bildung einer Elektrodenlage (41, 42) unter Ausnutzung der Oberflächenspannung des Elastomers und die abschliessende iii) mindestens teilweise Vernetzung der Dielektrikumlage (40) mit auf der Oberfläche schwimmend aufliegender Elektrodenlage (41, 42) durch thermische ...

Zinc oxide nano wire/polymer nano composite energy converter and preparation method thereof

The invention discloses a zinc oxide nano wire/polymer nano composite energy converter and a preparation method thereof. The oxide nano wire/polymer nano composite energy converter comprises a zinc oxide nano wire, a polymer, a substrate and two metal electrodes, wherein the polymer senses the change of an environment signal to produce shrinkage or expansion to drive the zinc oxide nano wire covered by the polymer to generate distortion, thereby producing electric signals to convert other energies in the environment into electric energy. The invention skillfully utilizes a zinc oxide nano wireand polymer composite structure to prepare a nano generator element, and enables the zinc oxide nano wire to convert heat energy, chemical energy and the like into electric energy in the environmentby means of the action of the polymer.

Method for producing electromechanical transducer

A transducer comprising a composite material and method of making such a composite material

The invention provides a transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energies. The transducer comprises an EAP laminate with a layer (2) of an elastomer material arranged between two electrode layers, each electrode layer comprising a layer (5) of a plastically deformable material, e.g. metal or a thermoplastic material, and a layer (6) of an electrically conductive material. Due to the layer of plastically deformable material, the electrode layers can be shaped into various shapes which can provide anisotropic characteristics of the transducer.

PROCEEDED OF FIXING Of a PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT OF MOLECULAR MASS HIGH ON a FRAMEWORK

FLUORIDE FILM OF POLYVINYLIDENE HAVING A HIGHER RIGIDITY DIELECTRIC AND PROCEEDED FOR SA PREPARATION

PROCESS AND DEVICE TO POLARIZE MATERIALS FERROELECTRIQUES

PROCESS OF POLARIZATION Of a MATERIAL FERROELECTRIQUE IN THE FORM OF CYLINDER

Procédé pour polariser au moins une partie d'un matériau ferroélectrique sous forme de cylindre dans l'axe (7) duquel est disposé un conducteur interne (6), ledit conducteur interne (6) étant placé à l'intérieur du cylindre (5). Le procédé comprend les étapes suivantes : - on place au moins une partie dudit cylindre (5) dans un liquide conducteur (3), ledit cylindre (5) étant libre de toute contrainte autre que la pression exercée par le liquide conducteur (3); - on applique entre une électrode (4) en contact avec le liquide conducteur (3) et le conducteur interne (6) disposé à l'intérieur et dans l'axe (7) du cylindre (5) une tension alternative basse fréquence dont on fait croître progressivement l'amplitude jusqu'à une valeur telle que le champ électrique ainsi créé ait une amplitude supérieure au champ coercitif de polarisation Ec dudit matériau.

METHOD OF MAKING A DEVICE COMPRISING A MATERIAL ACQUIRING AN ELECTRICAL PROPERTY AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO ELECTRICAL BIAS

PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT OF SPONGE STRUCTURE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric element of a sponge structure and a manufacturing method thereof and, more specifically, to a piezoelectric element which is provided in a sponge structure to realize contractility, flexibility, and durability and which can be variously applied as a wearable piezoelectric element, a ferroelectric element, and a sensor. COPYRIGHT KIPO 2017 ...

Manufacturing method for Flexible MEMS transducer

Hybrid electric device using piezo-electric polymer substrate and its fabrication method

PIEZOELECTRIC POLYMER MATERIAL, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SAME, AND PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT

압전 필름

... 본 발명의 압전 필름 (10) 은 기재 필름 (11) 과 압전성을 갖는 코팅층 (12) 의 적층체를 구비한다. 압전성을 갖는 코팅층 (12) 은 불소 수지를 함유한다. 불소 수지는, 불화비닐리덴의 중합체, 또는, (불화비닐리덴, 트리플루오로에틸렌, 클로로트리플루오로에틸렌) 중 2 종류 이상의 공중합체이다. 압전성을 갖는 코팅층 (12) 은, 불소 수지의 용액을 기재 필름 (11) 에 도포 및 건조시켜 얻어진다. 본 발명의 압전 필름 (10) 에 의해, 헤이즈값이 작고, 전광선 투과율이 높은 압전 필름을 실현한다.

PIEZOELECTRIC COMPOSITES COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE MATRIX

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric composite comprising a polymer matrix and inorganic piezoelectric fillers in the form of particles dispersed in the polymer matrix, but not bound to the polymer matrix, characterised in that: the polymer matrix comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE); the glass transition temperature, Tg, of each thermoplastic block of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is less than the lowest Curie temperature, Tc, of the inorganic piezoelectric fillers, and when the thermoplastic blocks have a melting point, Tf, said melting point of each thermoplastic block is also less than the lowest Curie temperature of the inorganic piezoelectric fillers; and the concentration of inorganic piezoelectric fillers is at least 5 vol.-% relative to the total volume of the polymer matrix. The present invention also relates to a method for producing such a piezoelectric composite, a device comprising such a composite, the use thereof and a tyre comprising such a device.

PIEZOELECTRIC FILM LAMINATE AND BENDING DETECTION SENSOR

Provided is a piezoelectric film laminate that is only made to generate charge by the displacement of the surface of an object of detection in the direction of a normal to the surface of the object of detection and for which charge generation resulting from displacement in a planar direction of the surface of the object of detection is unlikely to occur. In a biological sensor (100), even if the displacement in a planar direction (width direction or depth direction) of skin (901) at a sensor element (10) attachment location causes a film (3) and a film (4) to expand or contract more than a film (1) and a film (2), because the charge directions of film (3) and film (4) are opposite from each other and the charge directions of film (1) and film (2) are opposite from each other, the potential difference between a signal electrode (6) and reference potential electrode (7) is small, and it is possible to avoid mistakenly detecting expansion or contraction along a planar direction of the surface ...

Electroactive polymer actuator and diaphragm pump using the same

An electroactive polymer actuator, which has the capability of improving response speed and operation reliability of a device utilizing an electroactive effect, comprises a laminate formed by alternately placing a plurality of ring members of an electroactive polymer material having different diameters and a plurality of ring electrodes having different diameters such that each of the ring members is positioned between inner and outer peripheral surfaces of adjacent ring electrodes, and a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage(s) between odd-numbered ring electrodes and even-numbered ring electrodes in the case of counting the ring electrodes in order from an innermost ring electrode of the laminate, to thereby cause a deformation in the laminate. This actuator is preferably used as a diaphragm drive unit of a diaphragm pump.

Method of polarizing at least one large area sheet of ferroelectric material

A method of polarizing at least one large area sheet of ferroelectric material (1). The method comprises the following successive steps: placing films of ferroelectric material (2, 3) of thickness e1 against two opposite faces (1a, 1b) of the sheet (1) of thickness e2, the thickness e1 being a function of the respective coercive fields of the materials constituting the sheet (1) and the films (2, 3); placing electrodes (4, 5) on either side of and against the films of ferroelectric material (2, 3); compressing the resulting complex; and applying a cyclical voltage between the two electrodes (4, 5).

Die drawing process and apparatus for piezoelectric polymer films and tubes

Apparatus and processes for preparing polymeric piezoelectric films of one or more layers or tubular products having a central wire core by drawing a suitable polymeric blank through either a flat or a conically tapered drawing die having associated electrical field producing means, to simultanelusly stretch and pole the polymeric material within the die chamber.

Piezoelectric composite material

A piezoelectric composite material prepared by compounding a ferroelectric ceramic powder comprising microcrystals having virtually single domains and a polymer. This composite has both the high piezoelectric property of the ferroelectric ceramic and the pliability of the polymer.

Piezoelectric pumps

The present invention is directed to an electro-motional device, specifically piezoelectric pumps. More specifically, the present invention is directed to various piezoelectric pumps such as diaphragm pumps, double acting piston pumps, peristaltic pumps or centrifugal pumps.

Piezoelectric film and process for producing same

A piezoelectric film which is better in heat and deformation resistant properties than those in the prior art is provided along with a method of manufacture. The film is a piezoelectric film that is composed of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene, the copolymer having a content of vinylidene fluoride in a range of not less than 82 mol % and not more than 86 mol % and having a molecular weight not less than 600,000. The piezoelectric film is subjected to a heat treatment for crystallization of the copolymer at a temperature ranging from not less than 140° C. to not more than 150° C., and is thereby caused to develop piezoelectric property. The piezoelectric film further has a heat resistance of not less than 140° C. and a breaking distortion of not less than 8% and not more than 55%, and an excellent deformation resistant property.

FERROELECTRIC POLYMERS FROM DEHYDROFLUORINATED PVDF

A β-phase PVDF is prepared through a controllable dehydrofluorination under either a basic or high temperature condition. PVDF is degraded by losing hydrogen fluoride (HF) and either carbon-carbon double bonds form in the molecular backbone or single bonds form crosslinking the two polymer chains. These changes in structure influence the crystallization behavior of PVDF and therefore, influence the electrical properties by changing the arrangement of the dipoles.

Articles produced from VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymers

VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymers having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000,000 g/mol and a melt temperature less than about 240° C. The VDF copolymer contains at least about 50 mol % VDF monomer and may include an amount of at least one other monomer. The VDF copolymer may be used to form a membrane that has a node and fibril structure. The membrane has a percent porosity of at least 25%. A VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymer membrane may be formed by lubricating the VDF copolymer, subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the VDF copolymer to form a preform material, and expanding the preform material at a temperature below the melting temperature of the VDF copolymer. Dense VDF copolymer articles, filled VDF copolymer membranes, and VDF copolymer fibers are also provided.

TRANSDUCER DEVICE

A transducer device, including an electroactive polymer transducer, which has at least two electrode layers which are situated in parallel to one another and which are connected to one another by inserting an elastic intermediate layer in each case, and including a circuit having electronic components for the purpose of generating an electrical voltage applied to the electrode layers of the polymer transducer, the circuit increasing an input voltage to a voltage which is increased with regard to the input voltage.

Molecularly doped piezoelectric foams

A material that includes a polymer foam and at least one polar dopant molecule included in the polymer foam, wherein the material is a piezoelectric.

STRUCTURE FOR USE IN PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT, BRAIDED PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT, FABRIC-LIKE PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT USING BRAIDED PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT, AND DEVICE USING THESE

PREPARING PIEZOELECTRIC* ELECTRICALLY SCORCHABLE FILM

CПOCOБ ПOЛУЧEHИЯ KOMПOЗИЦИOHHЫX ПЬEЗOMATEPИAЛOB

PIEZOELEKTRISCHER KÖRPER, STROMERZEUGUNGSEINRICHTUNG UND POLYMER-STELLGLIED

VERFAHREN ZUR HERSTELLUNG EINES ELEKTRISCHEN BAUTEILS AUS EINEM THERMOPLASTISCHEN FILM

POLYMERIC PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL

METHOD OF MAKING A PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE HAVING A PIEZO-ELECTRIC POLYMER FILM SUPPORTED ACROSS A FRAME

... 1525136 Piezoelectric polymer devices KUREHA KAGAKU KOGYO KK 11 Dec 1975 [13 Dec 1974] 50734/75 Heading H4J A polymer film 1, having electrodes 2, 2' on its two sides has one electrode 2' closely contacted with a base film 3 thicker than the polymer film 1 to form a laminated body. A frame 4 is adhered to the exposed surface of the other electrode 2. The base film 3 is then removed to produce a framed piezoelectric polymer film, free of wrinkles or limp regions, and suitable for use as a diaphragm for headphones, speakers or other electro-acoustic diaphragms. The polymer film 1 is preferably of a polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinyl fluoride and is polarized under a D.C. field. The base film, of thickness not more than 300 microns is preferably of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, a polyester or polypropylene. The two films may be closely contacted with each other by moistening one or both contacting surfaces with water or oil or by electrostatical attraction ...

LAMINATED PIEZOELECTRIC STRUCTURES AND PROCESS OF FORMING THE SAME

METHOD OF MAKING PIEZOELECTRIC POLYMER TRANSDUCERS

ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER

PIEZOELECTRIC POLMER TRANSDUCER AND METHOD OF FABRICATION

PIEZOELECTRIC COAXIAL CABLES.

SINGLE-CRYSTAL-LIKE MATERIALS

Ultrasonic transducer, transducer array, and fabrication method

Energy converter based on polyurethane solutions

REVERSE FIELD STABILIZATION OF POLARIZED POLYMER FILMS

... -i- This invention concerns a method for stabilizing polarized polymeric piezoelectric films wherein a polarized polymeric piezoelectric film is exposed to an electric field of reverse polarity to that employed in the polarization step for a period sufficient to remove unstable homo- and hetero-charges but insufficient to depolarize useful charges in the final film.

COATING COMPOSITIONS, PROCESSES FOR DEPOSITING THE SAME, AND ARTICLES RESULTING THEREFROM

Ceramic dielectric coating compositions are disclosed as well as processes for depositing the coating compositions on a substrate and the coated article resulting therefrom. A ferroelectric or piezoelectric powder material such as the barium titanate type or lead zirconate-titanate type is mixed with a phosphate additive and water to form an acidic flowable mass with a consistency suitable for depositing by various means on a substrate. Depositing means include painting, dipping, spraying, and silk-screen techniques. After deposition on the substrate, the coating composition is dried, preferably at an elevated temperature, to form a composite article of the substrate with an adherent ferroelectric or piezoelectric coating composition thereon.

DOUBLY ORIENTED FILM OF POLYVINYLIDENE FLUORIDE

Polyvinylidene fluoride wherein Form I crystals predominate in the crystalline region thereof, said Form I crystals being doubly oriented. Such polyvinylidene fluoride can be prepared as a film by a process which comprises (i) cooling rapidly a melt of a polyvinylidene fluoride which shows an inherent viscosity at a temperature of 30.degree.C of 1.0 to 1.8 dl/g so as to obtain a film of the polyvinylidene fluoride exhibiting a sub-peak:main-peak height ratio of less than 0.6:1 as determined by differential scanning calorimetory when raising the temperature of the film, at a rate of 8.degree.C/min, (ii) stretching the film of polyvinylidene fluoride in a first direction to 3 to 6 times its unstretched length at a temperature of 50 to 170.degree.C, and (iii) stretching the film obtained in step (ii) at a temperature which is from 80 to 150.degree.C and which is within 60.degree.C of the stretching temperature of step (ii), in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the ...

PROCESS FOR MAKING POLARIZED MATERIAL AND POLARIZED PRODUCTS

This invention relates to a process for making polarized material by forming a solution of a material capable of being polarized with a polarization solvent which can be removed by evaporation. The material in solution is poled to provide a polarized material which is free or substantially free of mechanically-induced orientation and which polarization is essentially stable up to the crystal melting point of the polar crystals or to softening point of the polarized material if non-crystal line. The polarization solvent can be removed from the solution as desired either to a reduced level or completely, such as during poling or before or after poling.

PREPARATION OF HIGH GAMMA PHASE POLY (VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE) PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS

COAXIAL CABLE

Pre-stressed electric polarization method and device

Flexible piezoelectric energy collector and manufacturing method thereof

METHOD FOR DC BIAS OF THERMOPLASTIC FILMS

PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT Of HALOGENOUS OLEFIN POLYMER FILM EXTRUSION, USE AS PIEZOELECTRIC FILMS, AFTER TREATMENT OF POLARIZATION

Process of improvement of the remanent polarization of a layer out of polymeric material and applications to pyrolectric and piezoelectric transducers.

PROCESS Of ORIENTATION OF the POLES Of a SHEET Of a POLYMERIC MATERIAL AND PIEZOELECTRIC BODY OF INFLECTION FORMS Of a SHEET ORIENTEE FOLLOWING THIS PROCESS

Piezoelectric polymer film stretched over doubly-curved frame - heating it gently to slightly shrink, pref. in the presence of an electric field (NL 15.3.78)

PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER HAS ELEMENT OUT OF POLYMER AND ITS MANUFACTORING PROCESS

PROCESS AND DEVICE TO POLARIZE MATERIALS FERROELECTRIQUES

MANUFACTORING PROCESS OF SENSORS LAYER OF COPOLYMER P (VDF-TRFE) AND CORRESPONDING SENSOR HAS

L'invention concerne la fabrication d'un capteur matriciel utilisant une couche sensible d'un co-polymère ferroélectrique P(VDF-TrFE), déposée sur un circuit intégré (10, 12, 13). Pour simplifier la fabrication et améliorer les rendements, on dépose d'abord sur le circuit intégré une première couche de titane (116) et on la grave pour former un réseau matriciel d'électrodes électriquement reliées au circuit intégré ; puis on dépose un co-polymère P(VDF-TrFE) comportant une petite proportion d'environ 1 à 10% d'un deuxième polymère favorisant l'adhérence du co-polymère P(VDF-TrFE) sur le circuit intégré ; le polymère est soit-au-dessous du P(VDF-TrFE) soit mélangé. On grave en une seule étape le co-polymère et son promoteur d'adhérence, et enfin on dépose une deuxième couche conductrice (120) et on la grave pour former une contre-électrode pour l'ensemble du réseau matriciel. Application : capteurs d'images ultrasoniques.

Piezoelectric films of oriented crystalline polymer

L'invention concerne un procédé de réalisation d'un film polymère cristallin orienté selon lequel une couche de polymère diluée dans du solvant est répandue sur une face d'un substrat comportant des particules orientées (Téflon). L'ensemble (3) couche de polymère/particules orientées après évaporation du solvant, est déposé sur un bain de mercure (43) qui est chauffé légèrement au-delà de la température de fusion du polymère puis refroidi en prévoyant un gradient de température entre deux extrémités du bain de mercure. Application: Polymère piézoélectrique ...

ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERTER, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, AND USE THEREOF

ELECTROMAGNETIC CONVERTER WITH A POLYMER ELEMENT BASED ON A MIXTURE OF POLYISOCYANATE AND ISOCYANATE FUNCTIONAL PREPOLYMER AND A COMPOUND WITH AT LEAST TWO ISOCYANATE REACTIVE HYDROXYL GROUPS

Method of piezoelectric polymer core-shell structures

Composite film of sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride and sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer containing proton ionic liquid, and its preparation method and application for increasing thermal stability, conductivity, piezoelectric and ferroelectric characteristics of a proton exchange membrane

The present invention relates to a composite film of sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride (S-PVdF) and sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer containing proton ionic liquid, and its preparation method and application and, more particularly, a method for preparing a proton exchange membrane, a ferroelectric thin film and a piezoelectric film. The method for preparing the composite film of sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride includes the steps of: (a) dissolving sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride in suitable solvent; (b) adding proton ionic liquid and stirring the same until becoming uniform solution; and (c) placing the solution in an oven for baking until forming a sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride composite film. The method for preparing the composite film of sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer includes the steps of: (a) dissolving sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer in suitable solvent; (b) adding proton ...

PIEZOELECTRIC FILM

This piezoelectric film 10 is provided with a laminate of a base film 11 and a coating layer 12 having piezoelectricity. The coating layer 12 having piezoelectricity contains a fluororesin. The fluororesin is a polymer of vinylidene fluoride, or a copolymer of two or more compounds selected from among vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene. The coating layer 12 having piezoelectricity is obtained by applying a solution of the fluororesin to the base film 11 and drying the solution thereon. This piezoelectric film 10 enables the achievement of a piezoelectric film that has low haze value and high total light transmittance.

ENGINEERED LOADING RESPONSE IN ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER DEVICES HAVING STRUCTURED NANOVOIDS

A device may include a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electroactive polymer element disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode. The electroactive polymer element may include a nanovoided polymer material whereby resistance to deformation of the electroactive polymer element is non-linear with respect to an amount of deformation of the electroactive polymer element. Various other devices, method, and systems are also disclosed.

BIMORPH-TYPE PIEZOELECTRIC FILM

An object of the present invention is to provide a bimorph-type piezoelectric film, the bimorph-type piezoelectric film being capable of providing a highly transparent touch panel or the like that is not easily affected by a pyroelectric noise caused by a temperature change. The present invention provides a bimorph-type piezoelectric film including a first piezoelectric film, a gluing agent layer or an adhesive layer, and a second piezoelectric film in this order. The first piezoelectric film and the second piezoelectric film are arranged so that surfaces on which charges having the same polarity are generated due to an increase in the temperature face outside respectively. The bimorph-type piezoelectric film has a total light transmittance of 90% or more and a total haze of 8% or less.

PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR AND INSTRUMENT INCLUDING SUCH A SENSOR

A piezoelectric sensor includes: a body (10) with a central cavity (12); and a membrane (11) extending over the cavity (12), which membrane is fastened to the body (10) via its periphery and includes a carrier layer (111) made of polymer and a sensitive layer (113) made of piezoelectric polymer, the membrane (11) being able to deform or vibrate. The sensitive layer (113) is made of a material comprising a polymer filled with inorganic nanomaterials. Instrument including such a sensor.

Method of producing polymeric electret element

In producing an electret element having piezoelectric properties by subjecting a vinylidene cyanide copolymer to a polarization treatment, the copolymer is heat-treated at a temperature below the glass transition temperature thereof prior to or simultaneously with the polarization treatment to thereby increase the longitudinal piezoelectric effect (Kt).

ELECTROSTRICTIVE COMPOSITE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME

An electrostrictive composite includes a flexible polymer matrix, a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a plurality of reinforcing particles dispersed in the flexible polymer matrix. The carbon nanotubes cooperatively form an electrically conductive network in the flexible polymer matrix.

THREE-ELECTRODE LINEAR AND BENDING POLYMERIC ACTUATOR

A polymeric actuator includes a first and a second electrode layer (), both containing electrically conductive material and able to change size in at least one direction of deformation under the action of charge injection or ion intercalation. A solid polymer electrolyte layer () is interposed between the first and the second electrode layer, in which the solid polymer electrolyte layer is electrically insulating and ionically conductive. The actuator is able to deform by the action of the dimensional changes of the first and second electrode layer. The actuator further includes a passive electrode () immersed in the solid electrolyte layer to be electrically insulated relative to the first and second electrode layer, in which the passive electrode is electrically conductive and elastically deformable material, so as to support mechanically the deformations of the actuator induced by the dimensional changes of the first and second electrode layer. 1. A polymeric actuator comprising{'b': 2', '3, 'a first and a second electrode layer (, ), both containing an electrically conductive material and able to change size along at least one direction of deformation as a result of charge injection or ion intercalation, and'}{'b': '4', 'a solid polymer electrolyte layer () interposed between said first and the second electrode layers, where said solid polymer electrolyte layer is an electrical insulator and a ionic conductor,'}where said actuator is able to alter its shape as a result of dimensional changes of the said first and second electrode layers,{'b': '5', 'characterized in that said actuator comprises a passive electrode () immersed in the solid polymer electrolyte layer in order to be electrically insulated with respect to the said first and second electrode layers, where the said passive electrode is made of electrically conductive and elastically deformable material, in order to mechanically comply with deformations of the actuator induced by the dimensional changes ...

PIEZOELECTRIC SHEET, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING PIEZOELECTRIC SHEET, AND MANUFACTURING APPARATUS

A specific region of a polylactic acid sheet is heated by a microwave. To allow the polylactic acid sheet to exhibit piezoelectricity in the thickness direction of the polylactic acid sheet, a high voltage is applied to the heated polylactic acid sheet in the thickness direction of the polylactic acid sheet, and thereby the screw axes of at least a part of the polylactic acid molecules are relatively aligned with the thickness direction. Then the polylactic acid sheet is rapidly cooled, and thereby the polylactic acid molecules are immobilized. The same step is executed for other regions of the polylactic acid sheet, and thereby piezoelectricity is imparted to a wide area of the polylactic acid sheet in the thickness direction. The resultant piezoelectric sheet is capable of exhibiting a high piezoelectricity in the thickness direction. 1. A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric sheet , the method comprising:preparing a polylactic acid sheet;heating said polylactic acid sheet with microwaves; andapplying a sufficient voltage in thickness direction of said heated polylactic acid sheet until helix axes of at least some of polylactic molecules are oriented relative to the thickness direction of said polylactic acid sheet so as to have piezoelectricity in the thickness direction of said polylactic acid sheet.2. The method of manufacturing a piezoelectric sheet according to claim 1 , further comprising quenching said polylactic acid sheet after said application of the sufficient voltage.3. The method of manufacturing a piezoelectric sheet according to claim 1 , wherein said step of applying the sufficient voltage is executed simultaneously with at least part of said heating step.4. An apparatus for manufacturing a piezoelectric sheet claim 1 , the apparatus comprising:a voltage power supply;a pair of conductors arranged to hold therebetween a polylactic acid sheet in a thickness direction thereof, said pair of conductors configured to apply a voltage from said voltage ...

Continuous piezoelectric film including polar polymer fibers

A continuous piezoelectric film can include a plurality of fibers, each fiber including a polypeptide, wherein molecules of the polypeptide have electric dipole moments that are aligned such that the piezoelectric fiber provides a piezoelectric effect. The continuous piezoelectric film has at least one piezoelectric constant d 31 or d 33 that is at least 1 pC/N. The continuous piezoelectric film can be prepared hot pressing a mat of aligned piezoelectric fibers.

COMMONLY-POLED PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE

A system for poling piezoelectric devices comprises a plurality of thin-film components, a plurality of piezoelectric devices, a poling pad for poling the piezoelectric devices, a plurality of traces, and a plurality of current-limiting elements. The thin-film components are separated by dice lanes to form an array, and the piezoelectric devices are formed on the thin-film components. The traces connect the piezoelectric devices across the dice lanes in parallel to the poling pad. Each current-limiting element is connected in series with one of the piezoelectric devices, in order to limit current to individual piezoelectric devices that experience current-related failure. 1. A system comprising:a poling source for poling a plurality of piezoelectric devices;a plurality of traces connecting the plurality of piezoelectric devices at least partially in parallel to the poling source; anda plurality of current-limiting elements, each current-limiting element being connected with one of the plurality of piezoelectric devices.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein each current-limiting element comprises a fuse that creates an open circuit when one of the individual piezoelectric devices experiences current-related failure.3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a sacrificial pad connected in series with the fuse claim 2 , such that the fuse creates the open circuit when a forcing potential is applied to the sacrificial pad.4. The system of claim 1 , wherein each current-limiting element comprises a resistor that provides a current-limiting resistance when one of the individual piezoelectric devices experiences current-related failure.5. The system of claim 1 , wherein each piezoelectric device is connected between a single-ended electrode pad and a common ground pad on each of a plurality of thin-film components.6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of traces connect each piezoelectric device to the poling source in a single-comb parallel trace configuration.7 ...

ULTRA-THIN INERTIAL ACTUATOR

An inertial actuator includes an electro-active polymer EAP actuator, a substrate, and one or more mass elements. The EAP actuator includes at least one EAP layer located between a pair of driving electrodes. The EAP actuator may include a multilayer stack of alternating EAP layers and electrode layers. The EAP actuator is attached to the substrate (e.g., a flexible polymer substrate), which may be held under tension by attachment points at the periphery of the substrate, at the ends of a beam-type substrate, or the edges of a membrane-type actuator. The EMP actuator induces vibrations in the substrate. One or more mass elements (e.g., metal films) may also be supported by the substrate to enhance the resonator response. 1. An apparatus , comprising:an electromechanical polymer actuator, including an electromechanical polymer layer and electrodes configured to induce an electromechanical response in the electromechanical polymer actuator;a substrate supporting the electromechanical polymer actuator;a mass element supported by the substrate; anda support structure supporting the substrate so that the electromechanical response in the electromechanical polymer actuator induces a vibrational response in the substrate and the mass element.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , the support structure supporting the substrate under tension.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a high-definition haptic device or an electronic device having a haptic response.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a flexible polymer strip or membrane.5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mass element comprises a metal.6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electromechanical polymer layer includes a relaxor ferroelectric polymer.7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the relaxor ferroelectric polymer comprises a polymer claim 6 , copolymer claim 6 , or terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride.8. The apparatus of claim 1 , the electromechanical polymer layer ...

POLYMER AND POLYMER ACTUATOR COMPRISING THE SAME

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. 1. A polymer actuator comprising:a first electrode;a polymer layer, formed on the first electrode, comprising a poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based terpolymer cross-linked by a cross-linking agent; anda second electrode formed on the polymer layer.2. The polymer actuator of claim 1 , wherein the PVDF-based terpolymer comprises: as a first structural unit claim 1 , vinylidenefluoride (VDF) monomer; as a second structural unit claim 1 , trifluoroethylene (TrFE) or tetrafluoroethylene (TFE); and as a third structural unit claim 1 , vinyl fluoride claim 1 , perfluoro (methyl vinyl ether) claim 1 , bromotrifluoroethylene claim 1 , chlorofluoroethylene claim 1 , chlorotrifluoroethylene claim 1 , or hexafluoropropylene.3. The polymer actuator of claim 1 , wherein the PVDF-based terpolymer comprises P(VDF(vinylidene-fluoride)-TrFE(trifluoroethylene)-CTFE(chlorotrifluoroethylene)) claim 1 , or P(VDF(vinylidene-fluoride)-TrFE(trifluoroethylene)-CFE(chlorofluoroethylene)).4. The polymer actuator of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linking agent comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of dicumyl peroxide claim 1 , benzoyl peroxide claim 1 , bisphenol A claim 1 , methylenediamine claim 1 , ethylenediamine claim 1 , N-isopropyl ethylenediamine claim 1 , 1 claim 1 ,3-Phenylenediamine claim 1 , 1 claim 1 ,5-Naphthalenediamine claim 1 , and 2 claim 1 ,4 claim 1 ,4-trimethyl-1 claim 1 ,6-hexanediamine.5. The polymer actuator of claim 1 , wherein the content C of the cross-linking agent in the crosslinked terpolymer is about 0 Подробнее

POLYMER LAYER COMPOSITE WITH FERROELECTRET PROPERTIES AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAID COMPOSITE

The present invention relates to a polymer layer structure with ferroelectret properties, comprising a continuous first polymer layer () and a continuous second polymer layer (), the first and second polymer layers () being connected to one another to form voids () by connecting portions () arranged between the continuous polymer layers (). According to the invention, the polymer layer structure is in the form of an integral extruded structural element. 1. A polymer layer structure with ferroelectret properties , comprising:a continuous first polymer layer anda continuous second polymer layer,said first and second polymer layers being connected with one another to form voids by connecting portions arranged between said continuous polymer layers,whereinsaid polymer layer structure is in the form of an integral extruded structural element.2. The polymer layer structure according to claim 1 ,wherein{'b': 1', '2, 'thicknesses d and d of said first and second polymer layers are constant.'}3. The polymer layer structure according to claim 1 ,whereinat least one of the voids comprises a trapezoidal cross-section.4. The polymer layer structure according to claim 3 ,whereinat least one of the voids comprises a symmetrical trapezoidal cross-section with trapezium legs of equal lengths.5. The polymer layer structure according to claim 3 ,whereinall the voids comprise a trapezoidal cross-section, a longer base of a trapezium cross-section in a case of a horizontally arranged polymer layer structure being arranged alternately above and below an associated shorter base.6. The polymer layer structure according to claim 3 ,whereinin the trapezoidal cross-section, each obtuse angle comprises two adjacent acute angles and each acute angle comprises two adjacent obtuse angles.7. The polymer layer structure according to claim 6 ,whereinsaid trapezoidal cross-section is parallelogram-shaped.8. The polymer layer structure according to claim 2 ,wherein{'b': '1', 'the thickness d is from ≧ ...

OSCILLATOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

A piezoelectric element () is attached to a vibration member (). A plurality of electrodes () are two-dimensionally arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric element () so as to be spaced apart from each other. A supporting frame () supports an edge of the vibration member (). A control unit () inputs an independent driving signal to each of the plurality of electrodes (). Thus, a large output can be obtained with a resonance frequency depending on what signal is input to which electrode (). For example, the piezoelectric element () is a resin film that is formed of a high molecular material indicating a piezoelectric property. 2. The oscillator according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes have the same planar shape and are arranged at equal intervals.3. The oscillator according to claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of electrodes are arranged so as to be point-symmetrical to each other based on the center of the piezoelectric element.4. The oscillator according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric element is constituted by a high molecular material indicating a piezoelectric property.6. The oscillator according to claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing member does not overlap the piezoelectric element when seen in a plan view.7. The oscillator according to claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing member is provided at all the corners of the frame claim 5 , and the reinforcing members are spaced apart from each other.8. The oscillator according to claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing member is an isosceles triangle in which a vertex angle is equal to an inner angle of the frame claim 5 , and the reinforcing member is disposed such that the vertex angle overlaps the corner of the frame. The present invention relates to an oscillator and an electronic device.Oscillators using a piezoelectric material are used as, for example, a parametric speaker, or an oscillation source of an ultrasonic wave sensor.Patent Document 1 discloses that a circular ...

COMPOSITE MATERIAL COMPRISING A LAYER OF POLYMERIC PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL MATCHED WITH A TEXTILE SUBSTRATE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SUCH A COMPOSITE MATERIAL

A composite material is described. The composite material has a layer of polymeric piezoelectric material, where such polymeric piezoelectric layer has a first surface and a second surface, a textile substrate, and a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the polymeric piezoelectric layer. Conductors are provided on a surface of the textile substrate turned towards the second surface of the layer of polymeric piezoelectric material. 1. A composite material comprising:a layer of polymeric piezoelectric material, where such polymeric piezoelectric layer has a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite to the first surface,a textile substrate, anda first electrode disposed on the first surface of the polymeric piezoelectric layer, wherein conductors are provided on a surface of said textile substrate turned towards the second surface of the layer of polymeric piezoelectric material.2. The composite material according to claim 1 , wherein the conductors comprise a second electrode placed between the second surface of the piezoelectric layer and the textile substrate.3. The composite material according to claim 1 , wherein the conductors are made by a same material of which the textile substrate or only the surface of the textile substrate is made claim 1 , the material being an inherently conductive fabric claim 1 , the fabric comprising entirely or at least partially metallic fibres and yarns in metal and/or in carbon and/or in polymeric conductive material.4. The composite material according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second electrodes is an electric conductive layer realized by a metal or by an electrically conductive polymer.5. The composite material according to claim 1 , wherein a material of the piezoelectric polymeric layer is chemically based on a fluoridated polymer.6. The composite material according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the piezoelectric polymeric layer is comprised between 10 micron and ...

POLYMERIC PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL, AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

The invention provides a polymeric piezoelectric material including a helical chiral polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and having optical activity, wherein a crystallinity of the material measured by a DSC method is from 20% to 80%, and a product of a standardized molecular orientation MORc measured by a microwave transmission type molecular orientation meter based on a reference thickness of 50 μm and the crystallinity is from 25 to 250. 1. A polymeric piezoelectric material comprising a helical chiral polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of from 50 ,000 to 1 ,000 ,000 and having optical activity ,wherein a crystallinity of the material measured by a DSC method is from 20% to 80%, and a product of a standardized molecular orientation MORc measured by a microwave transmission type molecular orientation meter based on a reference thickness of 50 μm and the crystallinity is from 25 to 250.2. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein the crystallinity is 40.8% or less.3. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein an internal haze with respect to visible light is 40% or less.4. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein the standardized molecular orientation MORc is from 1.0 to 15.0.5. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein a piezoelectric constant dmeasured by a displacement method at 25° C. is 1 pm/V or higher.7. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein an optical purity of the helical chiral polymer is 95.00% ee or higher.8. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein a content of the helical chiral polymer is 80 mass % or more.9. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein an internal haze with respect to visible light is 1.0% or less.10. A process for producing the polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , comprising a ...

POLYMERIC PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

The present invention provides a polymeric piezoelectric material comprising an aliphatic polyester (A) with a weight-average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and having optical activity, and a stabilizing agent (B) with a weight-average molecular weight of from 200 to 60,000 having at least one kind of functional group selected from the group consisting of a carbodiimide group, an epoxy group and an isocyanate group, wherein the crystallinity of the material obtained by a DSC method is from 20% to 80%, and a content of the stabilizing agent (B) is from 0.01 part by mass to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the aliphatic polyester (A), as well as a process for producing the same. 1. A polymeric piezoelectric material comprising:an aliphatic polyester (A) with a weight-average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and having optical activity; anda stabilizing agent (B) with a weight-average molecular weight of from 200 to 60,000 having at least one kind of functional group selected from the group consisting of a carbodiimide group, an epoxy group and an isocyanate group,wherein the crystallinity of the material obtained by a DSC method is from 20% to 80%, and a content of the stabilizing agent (B) is from 0.01 part by mass to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the aliphatic polyester (A).2. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing agent (B) comprises a stabilizing agent (B3) having claim 1 , in a molecule claim 1 , a functional group selected from the group consisting of a carbodiimide group claim 1 , an epoxy group and an isocyanate group.3. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein internal haze with respect to visible light is 50% or less claim 1 , and a piezoelectric constant d14 measured by a displacement method at 25° C. is 1 pm/V or higher.4. The polymeric piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing agent (B) ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND OPERATION METHOD OF ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS

There are provided an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an operation method of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of performing polarization processing during the execution period of ultrasound diagnosis without affecting the image quality of an ultrasound image. In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and the operation method of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the invention, a trigger generation circuit generates a trigger for starting polarization processing. After a trigger is given, during the execution period of ultrasound diagnosis, in a non-diagnosis period which is a period other than a period for acquiring an image of each frame and during which transmission of ultrasound waves and reception of reflected waves for performing ultrasound diagnosis are not performed, within each frame time in which an image of each frame of an ultrasound image is acquired, a control circuit performs polarization processing on a plurality of ultrasound transducers. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for acquiring an ultrasound image and an endoscope image , comprising:an ultrasound endoscope comprising an ultrasound observation portion that transmits ultrasound waves using an ultrasound transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasound transducers are arranged, receives reflected waves of the ultrasound waves, and outputs a reception signal; andan ultrasound processor apparatus that generates the ultrasound image by converting the reception signal into an image,wherein the ultrasound processor apparatus comprises:a trigger generation circuit that generates a trigger for starting polarization processing; anda control circuit that performs the polarization processing on the plurality of ultrasound transducers in a non-diagnosis period, which is a period other than a period for acquiring an image of each frame and during which transmission of the ultrasound waves and reception of the reflected waves for performing ultrasound diagnosis are not performed, within ...

ANISOTROPIC PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD

A micro electromechanical (mem) device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a shaped carbon nanotube with a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaped carbon nanotube is conductively connected to the first electrode and the second end is conductively connected to the second electrode. A system for making the device includes a plurality of electrodes placed outside the growth region of a furnace to produce a controlled, time-varying electric field. A controller for the system is connected to a power supply to deliver controlled voltages to the electrodes to produce the electric field. A mixture of gases is passed through the furnace with the temperature raised to cause chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon on a catalyst. The sequentially time-varying electric field parameterizes a growing nanotube into a predetermined shape. 17-. (canceled)8. A system for producing a micro electromechanical (mem) device , the system comprising:a furnace including a growth region for carbon nanotubes, the furnace being configured to permit establishment of a controlled, time-varying electric field within the growth region;a plurality of electrodes placed outside the growth region to produce the controlled, time-varying electric field;a power supply connected to the plurality of electrodes; anda controller connected to the power supply to control the power supply to deliver controlled voltages to the electrodes to cause the electrodes to produce the controlled time-varying electric field.9. The system of wherein the plurality of electrodes further comprises three electrode pairs positioned and aligned to produce the time-varying electric field comprising three independent claim 8 , orthogonal claim 8 , time-varying electric fields.10. The system of wherein the furnace is configured to allow passage of gasses into and out of the growth region to enable chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of the carbon nanotubes.11. The system of wherein the furnace ...

PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT, ACTUATOR ELEMENT, ACTUATOR, POWER GENERATING ELEMENT, POWER GENERATING DEVICE AND FLEXIBLE SHEET

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. 1. A piezoelectric element , comprising a plurality of strip-shaped flexible sheets comprising:a dielectric elastomer layer; andan 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.2. An actuator element comprising the piezoelectric element according to .3. The actuator element according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of flexible sheets comprises a pair of the dielectric layers laminated on front and back face sides of the electrode layer.4. The actuator element according to claim 2 , wherein a pair of the flexible sheets are superposed on each other crosswise at substantially right angles and alternately folded in an accordion shape such that the flexible sheets are alternately stacked.5. The actuator element according to claim 2 , wherein the pair of flexible sheets are stacked to ...

OPTICAL FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION DEVICE, FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION METHOD THEREOF AND DISPLAY DEVICE

An optical fingerprint identification device includes a cover plate, a piezoluminescent layer, an optical sensing layer and a patterned light shield layer. The piezoluminescent layer is arranged under the cover plate, and has a changed state of light emission when subjected to a pressure, to emit light of a certain wavelength. The optical sensing layer is configured to detect the light reflected by a finger. The patterned light shield layer is arranged between the optical sensing layer and the piezoluminescent layer, and is configured to block the light from directly going into the optical sensing layer. 1. An optical fingerprint identification device , comprising:a cover plate;a piezoluminescent layer arranged under the cover plate, wherein the piezoluminescent layer has a changed state of light emission when subjected to a pressure, to emit light of a preset wavelength;an optical sensing layer configured to detect the light emitted from the piezoluminescent layer and reflected by a finger; anda patterned light shield layer arranged between the optical sensing layer and the piezoluminescent layer, and configured to block the light emitted from the piezoluminescent layer from directly going into the optical sensing layer.2. The optical fingerprint identification device according to claim 1 , wherein the optical sensing layer is arranged between the cover plate and the patterned light shield layer;the optical sensing layer comprises a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged at intervals, and an orthographic projection of the patterned light shield layer on the cover plate completely covers orthographic projections of the photosensitive elements on the cover plate.3. The optical fingerprint identification device according to claim 2 , wherein the piezoluminescent layer is an entire layer which covers a fingerprint recognition area.4. The optical fingerprint identification device according to claim 2 , wherein the piezoluminescent layer comprises a plurality of ...

MOTHER PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT, LAMINATED PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR LAMINATED PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT

The structure of a mother piezoelectric element allows a polarization process to be performed on the mother body before the individual piezoelectric elements are cut from the mother piezoelectric element. The mother piezoelectric element includes a plurality of first internal electrodes which are provided on at least one first surface and a plurality of second internal electrodes which are provided on at least one second surface. Each of the first and second internal electrodes is led out to any of first to fourth side surfaces of a mother piezoelectric body. The plurality of first internal electrodes are electrically connected to each other on a first surface and the plurality of second internal electrodes are electrical connected to each other on a second surface. All the first internal electrodes in the mother piezoelectric body are electrically connected to each other, and all the second internal electrodes in the mother piezoelectric body are electrically connected to each other. 1. A mother piezoelectric element , comprising:a mother piezoelectric body having (a) first and second planar main surfaces which are parallel and opposed to one another and (b) n side surfaces which extend between the first and second main surfaces, n being an integer greater than or equal to one;m first internal electrodes located in the mother piezoelectric body and lying in a first plane which is parallel to the first main surface, each of the first internal electrodes having a respective first lead-out part, each first lead-out part extending to at least one of the n side surfaces, the first internal electrodes being electrically connected to one another by connection parts lying in the first plane;m second internal electrodes located in the mother piezoelectric body and lying in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced from the first plane, each of the second internal electrodes having a respective second lead-out part, each second lead-out part extending to at least one of ...

POLYMER ACTUATOR DEVICE AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING POLYMER ACTUATOR DEVICE

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. 1. A polymer actuator device including a device part , the device part comprising:an electrolyte layer;first and second electrode layers disposed on first and second surfaces of the electrolyte layer, respectively, in a thickness direction; anda reference electrode layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers and in contact with the electrolyte layer,wherein the device part is configured to bend in response to a voltage applied between the first and second electrode layers.2. The polymer actuator device according to claim 1 , wherein the reference electrode layer has an area smaller than that of the first and second electrode layers.3. The polymer actuator device according to claim 2 , whereinthe device part includes a fixed portion at one end thereof at which the device part is fixed and supported, and a bending portion at another end thereof,the reference electrode layer extends in a longitudinal direction from the fixed portion toward the bending portion, anda width of the reference electrode layer is smaller than that of the first and second electrode layers, the width being in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.4. The polymer actuator device according to claim 1 , wherein the device part has a portion having a five-layer structure in which a first part of the electrolyte layer is disposed between the reference electrode layer and the first electrode layer and a second part of the electrolyte layer is disposed between the reference electrode layer and the second electrode layer.5. The polymer actuator ...

Ionic Polymer Compositions

A dielectric polymeric composition comprising a polymeric matrix comprising structural units derived from a polymerizable vinyl monomer; an ionic liquid comprising an organic cation and a balancing anion, wherein the ionic liquid is miscible or partially miscible with the polymerizable vinyl monomer, and wherein the concentration of ionic liquid in dielectric polymeric composition ranges from 0.5 to 30 wt. %; and less than 10 ppm of unreacted polymerizable vinyl monomer, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein an amount of unreacted polymerizable vinyl monomer in the composition is measured via HPLC. The polymeric matrix further comprises structural units derived from a polymerizable co-monomer comprising a functional group that has the ability to form hydrogen bonds within the polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix further comprises a crosslinking agent, and wherein the polymeric matrix comprises covalent crosslinks between the crosslinking agent and the structural units derived from the polymerizable vinyl monomer. 1. A dielectric polymeric composition comprising:(a) a polymeric matrix, wherein the polymeric matrix comprises structural units derived from at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer;(b) an ionic liquid, wherein the ionic liquid comprises an organic cation and a balancing anion, wherein the ionic liquid is miscible or partially miscible with the at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer, and wherein the concentration of the ionic liquid in the dielectric polymeric composition ranges from about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. %; and(c) less than about 10 ppm of unreacted polymerizable vinyl monomer, based on the total weight of the dielectric polymeric composition, wherein an amount of unreacted polymerizable vinyl monomer in the dielectric polymeric composition is measured via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).2. The dielectric polymeric composition of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric polymeric composition comprises a continuous ...

Novel Additive Manufacturing-Based Electric Poling Process of PVDF Polymer for Piezoelectric Device Applications

Methods for forming a piezoelectric device are provided. The method can comprise: electrically poling and printing the piezoelectric device from a polymeric filament simultaneously. The polymeric filament can comprise a polyvinylidene fluoride polymer (e.g., a β phase polyvinylidene fluoride polymer, such as formed by simultaneously stretching and electric poling an electrically inactive α phase polyvinylidene fluoride polymer).

HAPTIC FEEDBACK SCREEN USING PIEZOELECTRIC POLYMER

The present invention relates to a haptic feedback screen using a piezoelectric polymer. The present invention provides a haptic feedback screen using a piezoelectric polymer, which comprises: a piezoelectric polymer layer made of a transparent piezoelectric polymer material; an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed on an upper surface of and under a lower surface of the piezoelectric polymer layer, respectively, the upper electrode and the lower electrode being made of a transparent material; a transparent cover disposed on the upper electrode; and a transparent substrate disposed under the lower electrode, wherein the piezoelectric polymer layer generates vibration in a touch area by a power applied between the upper electrode and the lower electrode when a touch occurs on the transparent cover. The present invention can implement an overall or partial haptic feedback function by applying a transparent piezoelectric polymer material to a touch screen.

A buckling dielectric elastomer actuator

Disclosed herein is a buckling actuator, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a film of a dielectric elastomeric material having a first surface and a second surface sandwiched between the first and second electrodes, wherein the material is formed by the random block copolymerisation of a polymeric material comprising silicon or nitrogen atoms that has two or more acrylate or vinyl end groups, and a polar polymeric material having two or more acrylate or vinyl end groups. Also disclosed herein is a method of forming said dielectric elastomeric material.

FLEXIBLE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC SUBSTRATE AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREFOR, AND FLEXIBLE ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC DEVICE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flexible acoustic-electric substrate and a preparation method thereof, and a flexible acoustic-electric device. The preparation method of a flexible acoustic-electric substrate includes: forming a flexible substrate; forming a plurality of piezoelectric components on the flexible substrate; and forming a plurality of chambers on the flexible substrate in a one-to-one correspondence relationship with the plurality of piezoelectric components, and the plurality of chambers are located on a side of the flexible substrate away from the plurality of piezoelectric components. 1. A preparation method of a flexible acoustic-electric substrate , comprising:forming a flexible substrate;forming a plurality of piezoelectric components on the flexible substrate; andforming a plurality of chambers on the flexible substrate in a one-to-one correspondence relationship with the plurality of piezoelectric components, wherein the plurality of chambers are located on a side of the flexible substrate away from the plurality of piezoelectric components.2. The preparation method according to claim 1 , wherein the forming the flexible substrate comprises:forming a first flexible layer on a carrier plate;forming a mask layer on the first flexible layer, wherein in a case where forming the plurality of chambers, the mask layer is used as a hard mask; andforming a second flexible layer, a barrier layer, and a third flexible layer sequentially on the mask layer, to form the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate comprises the first flexible layer, the mask layer, the second flexible layer, the barrier layer and the third flexible layer.3. The preparation method according to claim 2 , wherein the forming the plurality of chambers on the flexible substrate in the one-to-one correspondence relationship with the plurality of piezoelectric components comprises:removing the carrier plate from the flexible substrate; andetching the first ...

PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR

A piezoelectric sensor configured to detect a change of pressure from a living body in a predetermined location includes: a pair of electrodes spaced from one another and formed to spread as a sheet; a pressure-sensitive layer disposed between the pair of electrodes and configured to generate electric charge in response to the change of pressure; a pair of terminals connected to the pair of electrodes, respectively, and configured to output an electrical signal supplied from the pair of electrodes in response to the change of pressure of the living body. An edge of at least one of the pair of electrodes extending toward the pair of terminals is disposed to protrude outside the pressure-sensitive layer, and the electrical signal propagates through the edge and is outputted from the pair of terminals. 1. A piezoelectric sensor configured to detect a change of pressure from a living body in a predetermined location , the piezoelectric sensor comprising:a pair of electrodes spaced from one another and formed to spread as a sheet;a pressure-sensitive layer disposed between the pair of electrodes and configured to generate electric charge in response to the change of pressure;a pair of terminals connected to the pair of electrodes, respectively, and configured to output an electrical signal supplied from the pair of electrodes in response to the change of pressure of the living body,wherein an edge of at least one of the pair of electrodes extending toward the pair of terminals is disposed to protrude outside the pressure-sensitive layer, and the electrical signal propagates through the edge and is outputted from the pair of terminals.2. The piezoelectric sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the edge of each of the pair of electrodes is disposed to protrude outside the pressure-sensitive layer.3. The piezoelectric sensor according to claim 1 , wherein an entire circumference of the edge of at least one of the pair of electrodes is disposed to protrude outside the ...

ACTUATOR DEVICE AND ACTUATION METHOD

An actuator device comprises an actuator member () which incorporates an electroactive polymer material. A controller () controls supply of an actuation signal and a superposed AC signal, which has the effect of inducing heating. The actuator member has a known set of deformation or deflection responses to applied actuation signals of different levels, and a known set of oppositely direction deformation or deflection responses to applied AC signals of different levels. To achieve accelerated actuation response, an actuation signal is supplied of higher signal level than known to be necessary to realize a given desired actuation level, and an AC signal is supplied of a level sufficient to reduce the resultant actuation response to the desired level. In examples, the overdrive part of the actuation signal and the AC signal may be tapered off after realizing the desired actuation level. 1. An actuator device , comprising:an actuator member comprising an electroactive material that is deformable in that it changes in size and/or shape in response to an electrical signal, the actuator member being arranged for exhibiting a first level of deformation in response to the electrical signal being a first actuation signal, a second level of deformation that is higher than the first level of deformation, in response to the electrical signal being a second actuation signal, and a one-way reduction from the second level of deformation to the first level of deformation in response to the electrical signal including an AC signal;electrical supply means for supplying the electrical signal to the actuator member; anda controller for controlling the electrical supply means;wherein the controller is adapted to cause the electrical supply means to provide to the actuator member the electrical signal being the second actuation signal at least partly superposed with the AC signal to therewith achieve the first level of deformation, whereby the controller is capable of controlling the ...

DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER VIBRATION SYSTEM AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICE

A dielectric elastomer vibration system includes a dielectric elastomer vibrator with a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers, and a power supply device producing a potential difference across the electrode layers. The vibrator exhibits various modes or regions of relationship between potential difference and deformation induced by the potential difference: a high-response region in which a relatively large deformation is induced; a low-response region of lower-potential difference in which a relatively small deformation is induced; and a low-response region of higher-potential difference in which a relatively small deformation is induced or in which a break point of the dielectric elastomer layer is included. The power supply device produces the potential difference by applying across the electrode layers a vibration signal voltage, which is generated by combining an AC voltage with a bias DC voltage corresponding to a potential difference falling in the high-response region. 1. A dielectric elastomer vibration system , comprising:a dielectric elastomer vibrator that includes a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer; anda power supply device that produces a potential difference across the pair of electrode layers,wherein the dielectric elastomer vibrator exhibits a relationship between the potential difference across the pair of electrode layers and an amount of deformation induced by the potential difference, the relationship having: a high-response region in which a relatively large deformation is induced in response to change of the potential difference; a low-response region of lower-potential difference corresponding to a lower potential difference than the high-response region and in which a relatively small deformation is induced in response to change of the potential difference; and a low-response region of higher-potential difference corresponding to a higher potential ...

POLYMERIC PIEZOELECTRIC FILM AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

A polymeric piezoelectric film, including a helical chiral polymer (A) having a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and optical activity, in which, in the film: a crystallinity given by a DSC method is from 20% to 80%; a standardized molecular orientation MORc is from 3.5 to 15.0 when a reference thickness measured by a microwave transmission-type molecular orientation meter is 50 μm; and when a direction parallel to a phase difference streak is a direction X, a direction perpendicular to the direction X and parallel to a main plane of a film is a direction Y, and the phase difference streak is evaluated by an evaluation method A, per a length of 1,000 mm in the direction Y, a number of phase difference streaks with an evaluation value of 60 or more is 0, and a sum of the evaluation values of phase difference streaks with an evaluation value of 20 or more is 1000 or less. 1. A polymeric piezoelectric film , comprising a helical chiral polymer (A) having a weight average molecular weight of from 50 ,000 to 1 ,000 ,000 and optical activity , wherein , in the film:a crystallinity given by a DSC method is from 20% to 80%;a standardized molecular orientation MORc is from 3.5 to 15.0 when a reference thickness measured by a microwave transmission-type molecular orientation meter is 50 μm; andwhen a direction parallel to a phase difference streak is a direction X, a direction perpendicular to the direction X and parallel to a main plane of a film is a direction Y, and the phase difference streak is evaluated by an evaluation method A, per a length of 1,000 mm in the direction Y, a number of phase difference streaks with an evaluation value of 60 or more is 0, and a sum of evaluation values of phase difference streaks with an evaluation value of 20 or more is 1000 or less, (a) with respect to the direction Y, acquiring in-plane phase difference data of a film at intervals of 0.143 mm to obtain an in-plane phase difference profile;', '(b) performing ...

Ferroelectric polymers from dehydrofluorinated PVDF

A method for synthesizing a piezoelectric material is provided. The method includes dehydrofluorinating a fluoropolymer precursor by incubating the fluoropolymer precursor in the presence of a base, wherein the fluoropolymer precursor comprises poly(vinylidene fluoride) or a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride; and isolating an at least partially dehydrofluorinated fluoropolymer solid having β-phase and that exhibits melt flow processability at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 150° C. The at least partially dehydrofluorinated fluoropolymer solid is capable of forming a solid piezoelectric fluoropolymer material having β-phase in an amount sufficient to exhibit a piezoelectric strain coefficient d 31 absolute value of greater than or equal to about 25 pm/V.

POLYMER MATERIAL CONTAINING ORGANICALLY MODIFIED LAYERED SILICATES

The present invention relates to a polymer material comprising a polymer and an organically modified layered silicate dispersed in the polymer. The total content of alkali and/or alkaline earth metal cations in the polymer material is ≦1 ppm. It relates further to the use of the polymer material as an electret material, and to an electromechanical converter comprising such a polymer material. 112-. (canceled)13. A polymer material comprising a polymer and an organically modified layered silicate dispersed in the polymer , wherein the total content of alkali and/or alkaline earth metal cations in the polymer material is ≦1 ppm.14. The polymer material according to claim 13 , wherein the organically modified layered silicate comprises a layered silicate to which there are bonded compounds wherein the bonded compounds are:{'sup': 1', '2', '3', '4', '+', '1', '2', '3', '4, 'claim-text': [{'sub': 1', '18', '6', '12', '2', '18', '5', '12', '1', '18', '1', '18', '5', '12', '6', '12, 'C-C-alkyl, C-C-aryl, C-C-alkyl interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, C-C-cycloalkyl, C-C-alkylcarbonyl, C-C-alkyloxycarbonyl, C-C-cycloalkylcarbonyl, or C-C-arylcarbonyl,'}, 'wherein the mentioned radicals can each be substituted by functional groups, aryl, alkyl, aryloxy, alkyloxy, halogen, heteroatoms and/or heterocycles and/or can carry 1, 2, 3 or 4 double bonds, and', {'sup': 1', '2', '3', '4, 'wherein R, R, Rand Rcan denote hydrogen as long as at least one of those radicals has the meaning described above;'}], '(a) alkylammonium compounds of the general formula (NRRRR), wherein R, R, Rand Reach independently of the others can denote wherein the solvate block is poly(styrenesulfonic acid), poly(N-alkylvinylpyridinium halide), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(methacrylates), poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl ether), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide), poly(vinyl methyl ether), poly(vinyl butyl ether), polystyrene, poly(ethylenepropylene), poly( ...

PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

A piezoelectric sensor, a manufacturing method thereof and an electronic device are provided. The piezoelectric sensor includes a substrate, an active layer, the active layer being disposed at a side of the substrate: a first electrode, the first electrode being disposed at a side of the active laver a wav from the substrate, and the first electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes disposed at intervals: a piezoelectric layer, the piezoelectric layer being disposed at a side of the first electrode away from the active layer; and a second electrode, the second electrode being disposed at a side of the piezoelectric layer away from the first electrode. The active layer is configured to be capable of switching between an insulating state and a conducting state, and in the conducting state the active layer is capable of conducting the plurality of sub-electrodes. 1. A piezoelectric sensor , comprising:a substrate;an active layer, the active layer being disposed at a side of the substrate;a first electrode, the first electrode being disposed at a side of the active layer away from the substrate, and the first electrode comprising a plurality of sub-electrodes disposed at intervals;a piezoelectric layer, the piezoelectric layer being disposed at a side of the first electrode away from the active layer; anda second electrode, the second electrode being disposed at a side of the piezoelectric layer away from the first electrode, whereinthe active layer is configured to be capable of switching between an insulating state and a conducting state, and in the conducting state, the active layer is capable of conducting the plurality of sub-electrodes.2. The piezoelectric sensor according to claim 1 , wherein a spacing region is provided between adjacent sub-electrodes in the plurality of sub-electrodes claim 1 , and an orthographic projection of the active layer on the substrate at least covers an orthographic projection of the spacing region on the substrate.3. The ...

PIEZOELECTRIC GENERATOR, PUSHBUTTON, RADIO MODULE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PIEZOELECTRIC GENERATOR

A piezoelectric generator () is specified, comprising a deformation body (), which spans a projection surface () and is embodied with a setpoint pressure surface () situated opposite the projection surface (), wherein the projection surface () can be converted from a smaller projection surface () when not loaded under pressure into a larger projection surface () when pressure is applied to the setpoint pressure surface () substantially perpendicular to the projection surface (), and a spring effect is provided which counteracts an application of pressure to the setpoint pressure surface (), wherein an electromechanical transducer element comprising a piezoelectric material wholly or partly spans the projection surface (), such that the transducer element is embodied in an expandable fashion upon pressure being applied to the deformation body (), and electrical microenergy can be generated by means of the piezoelectric material. 115867868652565. A piezoelectric generator () comprising a deformation body () , which spans a projection surface and is embodied with a target pressure surface () situated opposite the projection surface , wherein the projection surface can be converted from a smaller projection surface () , when not loaded under pressure , into a larger projection surface () when pressure is applied to the target pressure surface () substantially perpendicular to the projection surface () , and a spring effect is provided which counteracts an application of pressure to the target pressure surface () , wherein an electromechanical transducer element comprising a piezoelectric material wholly or partly overspans the projection surface () , such that the transducer element is embodied in an expandable fashion upon pressure being applied to the deformation body () , and electrical microenergy can be generated by means of the piezoelectric material , wherein the transducer element with the piezoelectric material with a planar polymer piezoelectric generator film ...

MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR SHEAR AND NORMAL FORCE SENSOR

Provided are a method of manufacturing a shear and normal force sensor including fabricating raised and sunken polymers having a plurality of bent parts of bent shapes, forming an electrode pattern on one surface of a piezoelectric element, and embedding the piezoelectric element between the raised and sunken polymers, and a shear and normal force sensor including raised and sunken polymers having a plurality of bent parts of bent shapes, a piezoelectric element embedded between the raised and sunken polymers and having an electrode pattern on one surface, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) embedded between the sunken polymer and the piezoelectric element and electrically connected to the electrode pattern. 1. A method of manufacturing a shear and normal force sensor , comprising:fabricating raised and sunken polymers having a plurality of bent parts of bent shapes;forming an electrode pattern on one surface of a piezoelectric element; andembedding the piezoelectric element between the raised and sunken polymers;wherein the fabricating includes fabricating a sunken polymer of the sunken polymers to have at least one recess shaped to fit a raised shape of a raised polymer of the raised polymers.2. The method of manufacturing a shear and normal force sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising:embedding a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) between the sunken polymer and the piezoelectric element.3. The method of manufacturing a shear and normal force sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the bent part has a trapezoidal shape.4. The method of manufacturing a shear and normal force sensor according to claim 1 , wherein shapes of the raised and sunken polymers match each other.5. The method of manufacturing a shear and normal force sensor according to claim 1 , wherein each of the raised and sunken polymers is made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).6. The method of manufacturing a shear and normal force sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the ...

ACTUATOR DEVICE BASED ON AN ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER

An actuator device () comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP) and a driver () for generating a electrical drive signals which give opposite polarity voltages and thus electrical field within the electroactive polymer at different times. In this way, charge build-up can be reduced or avoided, while prolonged activation times are still possible. This improves the performance and/or lifetime of the device. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an absolute value of an integral of the voltage difference over the first period and an absolute value of an integral of the voltage difference over the second period are the same.3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first period and/or the second period are longer than 10 milliseconds.4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first period and the second period are equally long.5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first electrical signal and/or the second electrical signal have multiple different voltage levels.6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the voltage difference during the first period is constant and the voltage difference during the second period is constant.7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuation is a continuous actuation within a drive period and the drive period comprises one or more of the first periods and one or more of the second periods.8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the first electrical drive signal and the second electrical drive signal follow each other such that the actuation does not change by more than a value chosen from the group consisting of 50% claim 7 , 20% claim 7 , 10% claim 7 , 5% claim 7 , 2% 1% claim 7 , and 0%.9. The method as claimed in claim 7 ,wherein the drive signal comprises a first plurality of first electrical drive signals and a second plurality of second electrical drive signals,wherein the first plurality of drive signals and the second plurality of drive signals form an alternating signal.10. The ...

FLEXIBLE AND LOW COST PIEZOELECTRIC COMPOSITES WITH HIGH D33 VALUES

The disclosure concerns filled a polymer composite comprising a piezoelectric filler and a polymer resin. The composite may exhibit a piezoelectric coefficient d33 of greater than 30 pC/N when measured according to the Berlincourt Method using a d33 piezometer and a density of less than 5 g/cc according to the Archimedes method. 1. A composite comprising:a piezoelectric filler; anda polymer resin, [{'sub': 33', '33, 'the composite exhibits a piezoelectric coefficient dof greater than 30 pC/N when measured according to the Berlincourt Method using a dpiezometer,'}, 'the composite is oriented at a poling voltage lower than a substantially similar polymer matrix in the absence of the piezoelectric filler when subjected to an electric field,', 'the composite exhibits an elastic modulus of less than 30 GPa when tested according to ASTM D3039, and', 'the composite exhibits a density of less than 5 g/cc according to the Archimedes method., 'wherein'}2. The composite of claim 1 , whereinthe piezoelectric filler is present in an amount from about 30 vol % to about 70 vol % based on the total volume of the composite.3. The composite of claim 2 , wherein the piezoelectric filler is present in an amount from about 40 vol % to about 60 vol % based on the total volume of the composite.4. The composite of claim 2 , wherein the polymer resin comprises a thermoplastic fluoropolymer.5. The composite of claim 2 , wherein the polymer resin comprises polyvinylidene difluoride.6. The composite of claim 2 , wherein the piezoelectric filler is a particulate dispersed throughout the polymer resin.7. The composite of claim 2 , wherein the piezoelectric filler is a particulate having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 3 microns.8. The composite site of claim 2 , wherein the piezoelectric filler comprises a lead-based piezoelectric filler.9. The composite of claim 2 , wherein the piezoelectric filler comprises lead zirconium titanate.10. The composite of claim 2 , wherein the ...

TRANSDUCER INCLUDING FIBERS AND OUTPUTTING AND INPUTTING AN ELECTRIC SIGNAL

A transducer in the form of cloth having high flexibility obtained by manufacturing a conventional woven or knitted fabric structure using general-purpose fiber materials. The transducer includes piezoelectric units, each including two conductive fibers and one piezoelectric fiber arranged substantially on the same plane in the order of the conductive fiber, the piezoelectric fiber and the conductive fiber, and outputs and inputs an electric signal. 1. A transducer comprising piezoelectric units , each comprising two conductive fibers and one piezoelectric fiber all of which are arranged substantially on the same plane in the order of the conductive fiber , the piezoelectric fiber and the conductive fiber , and outputting and inputting an electric signal.2. The transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric unit comprises an insulating fiber which is arranged to ensure that the conductive fibers in the piezoelectric unit do not come into contact with the conductive fibers or the conductive fibers and the piezoelectric fiber of another piezoelectric unit.3. The transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric fiber comprises polylactic acid as the main component.4. The transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric fiber comprises poly-L-lactic acid or poly-D-lactic acid as the main component claim 1 , and the optical purities of these are not less than 99%.5. The transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric fiber is uniaxially oriented and contains a crystal.6. The transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive fiber is a fiber obtained by coating (i) a carbon fiber or (ii) a synthetic fiber with an electric conductor.7. The transducer according to which has a detection voltage after folded 2 claim 1 ,000 times repeatedly in a normal direction to the conductive fiber of not less than 90% of that before folding.8. The transducer according to which is a woven or knitted fabric comprising a plurality of ...

ROLL-TO-ROLL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING SELF-HEALING ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER DEVICES

A process for producing a corrugated electrode for use in an electroactive polymer cartridge is disclosed. A laminated web comprising a support sheet laminated to a dielectric elastomer film is positioned. The support sheet defines areas exposing portions of the dielectric elastomer film. A force is applied to the positioned laminated web to stretch the laminated support sheet-dielectric elastomer film web in a direction that is orthogonal to a plane defined by the web. An electrically conductive material is applied to the laminated support sheet-dielectric elastomer film web while the laminated support sheet-dielectric elastomer film web is in a stretched state. The laminated support sheet-dielectric elastomer film web is relaxed to form the corrugated electrode on the dielectric elastomer film portion of the web. 1. A process for producing an electroactive polymer cartridge with a corrugated surface , the process comprising:positioning a web comprising a support material attached to a dielectric elastomer film, the support material defining areas exposing portions of the dielectric elastomer film;applying a force to stretch the positioned web in a direction that is orthogonal to a plane defined by the web;applying a second material to the web while the web is in a stretched state; andrelaxing the web to form a corrugated layer on the dielectric elastomer film portion of the web.2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the second material is electrically conductive.3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the second material is electrically non-conductive.4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the support material is a support sheet laminated to the dielectric elastomer film.5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the support material is printed.6. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising defining elements of the electroactive polymer cartridge in the support material.7. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising ...

SOUND TRANSDUCER, HAVING A TRANSDUCER ELEMENT INTEGRATED IN A VIBRATION-CAPABLE DIAPHRAGM INCLUDING AN ELECTRICALLY ACTIVE POLYMER

An acoustic transducer, in particular for an ultrasonic sensor, is proposed. The acoustic transducer has a functional group, the functional group encompassing a diaphragm cup and at least one electroacoustic transducer element. The acoustic transducer furthermore has a housing. The diaphragm cup encompasses a vibration-capable diaphragm and an encircling wall, as well as at least one electroacoustic transducer element, the transducer element being embodied to excite the diaphragm to vibrate and/or to convert vibrations of the diaphragm into electrical signals. The diaphragm cup is constituted from a plastic material, the at least one transducer element being integrated into the vibration-capable diaphragm, the transducer element having an electrically active polymer. 115.-. (canceled)16. An acoustic transducer , comprising:a functional group encompassing a diaphragm cup and at least one electroacoustic transducer element; and the diaphragm cup includes a vibration-capable diaphragm and a wall,', 'the transducer element is adapted at least one of to excite the vibration-capable diaphragm to vibrate and to convert vibrations of the diaphragm into an electrical signa,', 'the diaphragm cup includes a plastic material,', 'the transducer element is integrated into the vibration-capable diaphragm, and', 'the transducer element includes an electrically active polymer., 'a housing, wherein17. The acoustic transducer as recited in claim 16 , wherein:the transducer element has a disk-shaped body,the transducer element includes a first surface and a second surface located opposite from the first surface, andthe transducer element is integrated into the vibration-capable diaphragm in such a way that the second surface is exposed toward an interior of the diaphragm cup.18. The acoustic transducer as recited in claim 16 , wherein:the transducer element has a substantially disk-shaped body,the transducer element has a first surface and a second surface located opposite from the ...

BIMORPH-TYPE PIEZOELECTRIC FILM

An object of the present invention is to provide a bimorph piezoelectric film that enables the production of touch panels and the like that are less influenced by pyroelectric noise due to temperature change, and exhibit high transparency. 1. A bimorph piezoelectric film comprising in sequencea first piezoelectric film,a tackifier layer or an adhesive agent layer, and the first piezoelectric film and the second piezoelectric film being disposed in such a manner that their surfaces on which electric charges of the same polarity are generated by a temperature increase are each outward-facing,', 'the first piezoelectric film and the second piezoelectric film each having a total light transmittance of 90% or more, and a total haze value of 8.0% or less., 'a second piezoelectric film,'}2. The bimorph piezoelectric film according to claim 1 , wherein the tackifier layer or the adhesive agent layer has a storage modulus of 0.1 MPa or more claim 1 , an inner haze value of 0.6% or less claim 1 , and a thickness of 30 μm or less.4. A piezoelectric panel comprising the piezoelectric film according to .5. An input device comprising the bimorph piezoelectric film according to .6. A speaker comprising the bimorph piezoelectric film according to .7. An electronic device comprising the input device according to .9. A piezoelectric panel comprising the piezoelectric film according to .10. A piezoelectric panel comprising the piezoelectric film according to .11. A piezoelectric panel comprising the piezoelectric film according to .12. An input device comprising the bimorph piezoelectric film according to .13. An input device comprising the bimorph piezoelectric film according to .14. An input device comprising the bimorph piezoelectric film according to .15. A speaker comprising the bimorph piezoelectric film according to .16. A speaker comprising the bimorph piezoelectric film according to .17. A speaker comprising the bimorph piezoelectric film according to .18. An electronic ...

PRODUCING METHOD OF SUSPENSION BOARD WITH CIRCUIT

A method for producing a suspension board with circuit includes a first step of preparing a suspension board including a metal supporting layer, a base insulating layer disposed at one surface in a thickness direction of the metal supporting layer, and a conductive pattern disposed at one surface in the thickness direction of the base insulating layer and having a terminal portion; a second step of connecting a piezoelectric element to the terminal portion by solder and heating the solder at a temperature of not less than a depolarization temperature allowing polarization of the piezoelectric element to start disappearing; and a third step of applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element so as to repolarize the piezoelectric element connected to the terminal portion. 1. A method for producing a suspension board with circuit comprising:a first step of preparing a suspension board including a metal supporting layer, a base insulating layer disposed al one surface in a thickness direction of the metal supporting layer, and a conductive pattern disposed at one surface in a thickness direction of the base insulating layer and having a terminal portion;a second step of connecting a piezoelectric element to the terminal portion by solder and heating the solder at a temperature of not less than a depolarization temperature allowing polarization of the piezoelectric element to start disappearing; anda third step of applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element so as to repolarize the piezoelectric element connected to the terminal portion.2. The method for producing a suspension board with circuit according to claim 1 , whereinthe depolarization temperature is not less than a half of the Curie temperature of the piezoelectric element.3. The method for producing a suspension board with circuit according to claim 1 , whereinin the first step, a plurality of suspension boards are prepared and the plurality of suspension boards are configured as an assembly in which a ...

Increased Force Generation in Electroactive Polymers

Methods and systems are provided for combined direct current and alternating current activation of electroactive polymer devices. The combined direct current and alternating current activation may increase force generation compared to activation using direct current alone. For example, a method for actuating an electroactive polymer device may include providing the electroactive polymer device. The electroactive polymer device may include a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer. The method may include applying a direct current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes. The method may include applying an alternating current across the electroactive polymer. The direct current and the alternating current may be effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device. 1. A method for actuating an electroactive polymer device , comprising:providing the electroactive polymer device, the electroactive polymer device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to an electroactive polymer;applying a direct current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes; andapplying an alternating current across the electroactive polymer,the direct current and the alternating current being effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device.2. The method of claim 1 , the direct current and the alternating current being effective to cause actuation of the electroactive polymer device to exert a greater force compared to actuation of the electroactive polymer device using the direct current alone.3. The method of claim 1 , the applying the alternating current across the electroactive polymer comprising applying the alternating current across the electroactive polymer via the first and second electrodes.4. The method of claim 1 , the applying the alternating current across the electroactive polymer comprising inducing the alternating ...

MOLECULARLY DOPED PIEZOELECTRIC FOAMS

A material that includes a polymer foam and at least one polar dopant molecule included in the polymer foam, wherein the material is a piezoelectric. 1. A material comprising:a polymer foam; andat least one polar dopant molecule included in the polymer foam;wherein the material is a piezoelectric.2. A material comprising:a polymer foam matrix; andat least one polar dopant molecule dispersed within the polymer foam matrix;wherein the polar dopant molecule is axially aligned with electric dipoles in the direction of poling.3. The material of claim 1 , wherein the material has a bulk modulus of less than 10 MPa.4. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polymer foam is polyurethane claim 1 , polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) claim 1 , polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) claim 1 , chloroprene claim 1 , neoprene claim 1 , nitrile rubber claim 1 , butyl rubber claim 1 , halogenated butyl rubber claim 1 , or polyetherblock amide.5. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polymer foam is a polyurethane foam.6. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polar dopant molecule is selected from a substituted benzene claim 1 , a small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon claim 1 , a small biological molecule claim 1 , or a mixture thereof.7. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polar dopant molecule is selected from unsubstituted nitroaniline claim 1 , substituted nitroaniline claim 1 , unsubstituted benzoic acid or substituted benzoic acid.8. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polar dopant molecule is a halogenated nitroaniline.9. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polar dopant molecule is a substituted naphthalene.10. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polar dopant molecule is 2-chloro-4-nitroaniline (CNA).11. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polar dopant molecule is benzoic acid.12. The material of claim 1 , wherein the polar dopant molecule has a permanent molecular dipole moment of at least 1 D.13. The material of claim 1 , wherein the material includes 0.01 to 2 M of the polar dopant ...

Flexible and Soft Smart Driving Device

A flexible and soft smart driving device comprises a flexible frame, a driving mechanism and a creeping structure. The driving mechanism uses an intrinsic strain of an intelligent soft material to generate a driving force. A creeping structure is used to implement autonomous activities of the flexible and soft smart driving device. The driving mechanism and the creeping structure are attached to the flexible frame. The driving mechanism generates the driving force by contraction and relaxation of a driving membrane. The flexible and soft smart driving device is made from flexible materials and has advantages of good creeping speed, flexible control, small noise and high human body compatibility. 121.-. (canceled)22. A flexible and soft smart driving device comprising:a flexible frame, a driving mechanism and a movement structure, such as creeping structure;a power source module associated with the driving mechanism, and wherein:the driving mechanism uses the intrinsic strain of intelligent soft material to generate the driving force;the movement structure implementing autonomous activities of the flexible and soft smart driving device;the driving mechanism and the movement structure are attached to the flexible frame;the flexible and soft smart driving device utilizes the friction between the flexible frame's self-deformation and the contact surface to creep;the power source module is small-sized high-voltage source module which is rapidly dischargeable and continuously tunable, the power source module comprises input port, power switch module, pulse transformer, voltage-multiplying rectifying circuit, voltage output port, feedback bleeder circuit, control circuit, isolated drive module, mechanical switch module;the input port, which is connected to power switch module, is used to supply input voltage to the power switch module;the power switch module, which is connected to the isolated drive module and the pulse transformer respectively, is controlled by switch ...

ELECTROACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATOR AND DRIVING METHOD

The invention provides a field-driven electroactive material actuator that is driven by an actuation voltage. A driver is adapted to drive the actuation voltage from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, wherein the second voltage level is lower than the first, by way of a transition function, the transition function occurring over a transition time. The transition function includes a smoothing function. The transition time is at least 0.5 ms. 1. A field-driven electroactive material actuator , comprising:an electroactive material structure; anda driver circuit, wherein the driver circuit is arranged to provide an actuation voltage to the electroactive material structure,wherein the driver circuit is arranged to drive the actuation voltage from a first voltage level to a second voltage level using a transition function,wherein the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level,wherein the second voltage is between the first level and zero,wherein the transition function occurs over a transition time,wherein the transition function comprises a smoothing function,wherein the transition time is at least 0.5 ms.2. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the smoothing function comprises at least one of: a ramp function; a parabolic function; and an exponential function.3. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the smoothing function is approximated as a set of discrete points.4. The actuator as claimed in claim 3 ,wherein the smoothing function further comprises interpolated data points,wherein the interpolated data points are between the discrete points.5. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the transition function comprises at least one of:a first step function, wherein the first step function operates between the first voltage level and the smoothing function; anda second step function, wherein the second step function operates between the smoothing function and the second voltage level.6. The actuator as claimed in claim 1 , ...

ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICE AND PRODUCTION METHOD

The present invention relates to a energy conversion device () configured to convert a light signal into an electrical signal, comprising: an actuator element (), substantially planar, having at least one activatable portion (), said activatable portion comprising a photomobile polymeric material; a transducer element (), substantially planar, having at least a portion of piezoelectric material; wherein said actuator element () is coupled to said transducer element () so that, at a light beam incident on said photomobile polymeric material, a movement of said transducer element () is activated through a movement of said activatable portion (), said movement of said transducer element () providing the generation of a potential difference at the terminal ends of said portion of piezoelectric material. 1. An energy conversion device configured to convert a light signal into an electrical signal , comprising:an actuator, substantially planar, including at least one activable portion, said activable portion comprising a photomobile polymeric material; anda transducer, substantially planar, including at least a portion of piezoelectric material;wherein said actuator is coupled to said transducer such that, at a light beam incident on said photomobile polymeric material, a movement of said transducer is activated through a movement of said activable portion, said movement of said transducer providing a generation of a potential difference at terminal ends of said portion of piezoelectric material.2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said activable portion is substantially elastic and is configured to be moved from a substantially planar configuration to a substantially bent operating configuration at an incident light beam.3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said photomobile polymeric material comprises multi-acrylate components and phenol oxides in vinyl matrices.4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said piezoelectric material comprises a portion ...

METHOD FOR POLING PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR ELEMENTS

A method of poling piezoelectric elements of an actuator comprises applying an electric pulse heating waveform to the piezoelectric element(s) in order to increase the temperature thereof to a poling temperature (S), applying an electric field poling waveform to the piezoelectric element(s) for a poling time period (S), and apply an electric field holding poling waveform to the piezoelectric element(s) to maintain poling whilst the temperature of the actuator decreases (S). 1. A method for poling piezoelectric elements of two or more piezoelectric actuators , the method comprising:applying a heating waveform to one or more of the piezoelectric elements to increase the temperature of the piezoelectric actuators from a first temperature to a poling temperature;applying a poling waveform to one or more of the piezoelectric elements when the poling temperature has been reached, for a poling time period, to pole the one or more piezoelectric elements; andafter expiry of the poling time period, applying a holding poling waveform to the one or more piezoelectric elements to which the poling waveform was applied until the temperature of the piezoelectric actuators has decreased from the poling temperature to a second temperature.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the holding poling waveform comprises a holding poling and heating waveform claim 1 , and wherein the holding poling and heating waveform comprises a heating effect less than that needed to maintain the poling temperature.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the holding poling waveform comprises a first holding poling and heating waveform and a second holding poling waveform claim 1 , and wherein the first holding poling and heating waveform comprises a heating effect less than that needed to maintain the poling temperature claim 1 , the method further comprising:applying the first holding poling and heating waveform until the temperature of the piezoelectric actuators has decreased from the poling temperature to an ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING ELECTRET MEDIA

A system and method for making electret media is presently provided. The method involves placing a piezoelectric material adjacent a media and applying a mechanical stress to the piezoelectric material and thereby transferring an electric charge from the piezoelectric material to the media and making the electret media. The system is configured to place the piezoelectric material adjacent the media and to apply mechanical stress to the piezoelectric material. 1. A method of making electret media comprising the steps of:feeding a piezoelectric material and a media configured to accept an electric charge between a first set of adjacent rollers, having an upper roller adjacent a lower roller;feeding the piezoelectric material and the media configured to accept an electric charge between a second set of adjacent rollers, having an upper roller adjacent a lower roller, wherein the second set of adjacent rollers are gap spaced from the first set of adjacent rollers; andapplying a mechanical stress to the piezoelectric material and thereby transferring an electric charge from the piezoelectric material to the media and making the electret media.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric material is configured to generate an electric charge upon being tensioned and relaxed.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric material comprises polyvinylidene fluoride.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media comprises polypropylene.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the media is meltblown polypropylene.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media is a filtration media.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric material is fed between the rollers above and below the media claim 1 , thus contacting an upper surface and a lower surface of the media.8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric material and media are continuously fed between the two sets of rollers at substantially the same rate.9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media has ...

ANTIBACTERIAL FIBER, SHEET, AND SHEET COVER

An antibacterial fiber that includes a plurality of charge generation fibers. The plurality of charge generation fibers generate electric charges with application of external energy thereto, and the space between the plurality of charge generation fibers is not uniform. 1. An antibacterial fiber comprising:a plurality of charge generation fibers that generate an electric charge when external energy is applied thereto, the plurality of charge generation fibers being twisted about an axial direction of the antibacterial fiber, and the plurality of charge generation fibers being arranged such that electric potentials generated by the plurality of charge generation fibers exhibit non-rotational symmetry with respect to a center of the antibacterial fiber.2. The antibacterial fiber according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of piezoelectric fibers each comprise a piezoelectric polymer.3. The antibacterial fiber according to claim 1 , wherein some of the plurality of piezoelectric fibers comprise a piezoelectric polymer.4. The antibacterial fiber according to claim 1 , wherein some of the plurality of piezoelectric fibers comprise a uniaxially stretched polylactic acid.5. The antibacterial fiber according to claim 1 , wherein distances between the plurality of charge generation fibers are not uniform.6. The antibacterial fiber according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of charge generation fibers are twisted counterclockwise about the axial direction of the antibacterial fiber.7. The antibacterial fiber according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of charge generation fibers are twisted clockwise about the axial direction of the antibacterial fiber.8. The antibacterial fiber according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of charge generation fibers do not have a uniform arrangement aspect between two different cross sections of the antibacterial fiber.9. The antibacterial fiber according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of charge generation fibers do not have a ...

INSULATING BASE MATERIAL WITH CONDUCTIVE PATTERN

An insulating base material including conductive patterns includes an insulating base material layer, metal layers provided on the insulating base material layer, and conductive patterns of a conductive material, provided on the metal layers, and an in-plane resistance value of the metal layers is about 0.1 MΩ or more larger than an in-plane resistance value of the conductive patterns. 1. An insulating base material including a conductive pattern comprising:an insulating base material layer;a metal layer provided on the insulating base material layer; anda conductive pattern including a conductive material, and provided on the metal layer; wherein the metal layer has an in-plane resistance value that is at least about 0.1 MΩ larger than an in-plane resistance value of the conductive pattern.2. The insulating base material including the conductive pattern according to claim 1 , wherein a difference between the in-plane resistance value of the metal layer and an in-plane resistance value of the insulating base material layer is about 100 MΩ claim 1 , or less.3. The insulating base material including the conductive pattern according to claim 1 , wherein the in-plane resistance value of the metal layer falls within a range of about 0.1 MΩ to about 100 MΩ.4. The insulating base material including the conductive pattern according to claim 1 , wherein the metal layer has a thickness of about 10 nm or less.5. The insulating base material including the conductive pattern according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating base material layer is an electrostrictive material.6. The insulating base material including the conductive pattern according to claim 1 , wherein the metal layer includes a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum claim 1 , copper claim 1 , platinum claim 1 , gold claim 1 , nickel claim 1 , or alloys thereof.7. The insulating base material including the conductive pattern according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive material is an organic ...

PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT, PROBE, ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT DEVICE, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, POLARIZATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INITIALIZATION DEVICE

A piezoelectric element is provided with three electrodes, namely a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, arranged linearly on one side surface of a piezoelectric body at regular intervals. A polarization processing electric field is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and then the polarization processing electric field is applied between the second electrode and the third electrode. The polarization processing electrode field on this occasion is a half as strong as in the case of performing the polarization process of applying the electric field at a time between the first electrode and the third electrode. 1. A piezoelectric element in which a piezoelectric effect generated between first one of electrodes and N-th (N≧3) one of the electrodes is put into a practical use , the piezoelectric element comprising:a piezoelectric body; andan electrode structure having N electrodes disposed on one side surface of the piezoelectric body,wherein a process, in which a polarization processing electric field in a certain direction with respect to the electrode structure is applied between i-th and former ones of the electrodes and (i+1)-th and later ones of the electrodes, is performed with respect to each of values of i=1 through (N−1) to perform a polarization process to align a polarization moment of the piezoelectric body with the certain direction.2. The piezoelectric element according to claim 1 , whereina distance between electrode adjacent to each other is no smaller than 2 μm and no larger than 8 μm.3. The piezoelectric element according to claim 1 , whereinthe polarization processing electric field is stronger than a coercive electric field of the piezoelectric body.4. The piezoelectric element according to claim 1 , whereinthe electrode structure is formed of the N electrodes arranged linearly.5. The piezoelectric element according to claim 4 , whereinthe electrode structure is formed of the N electrodes arranged at ...

PIEZOPOLYMER TRANSDUCER WITH MATCHING LAYER

Matching layers improve the performance of ultrasonic transducers. Such layers have traditionally required significant effort and expense to be added to ultrasonic transducers. The present invention discloses a method of producing ultrasonic transducers with a matching layer, specifically for ultrasonic transducers utilizing piezopolymer transducer materials. Rather than the conventional method of forming the piezopolymer on a substrate and then attaching a matching layer through which the transducer emits its ultrasound energy, we teach depositing the piezopolymer on a substrate that also serves as a matching layer through which the ultrasound is emitted. We also teach depositing an additional shield layer for reducing electromagnetic interference. Methods of how to select materials and modify their ultrasonic characteristics are also discussed. 1. A method of forming an ultrasonic transducer for use on a medium at an operating frequency , said method comprising:providing a substrate layer having a front side and a back side, and having a first acoustic impedance;disposing a first electrode layer on the back side of said substrate layer;disposing a piezopolymer layer on said first electrode layer, said piezopolymer layer having a second acoustic impedance;disposing a second electrode layer on said piezopolymer layer;whereby said substrate layer is acoustically matching said piezopolymer material layer to the medium.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the piezopolymer layer comprising a copolymer material.3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the copolymer material is a P(VDF−TrFE) copolymer claim 2 , where x is between 65 and 82.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate layer is biocompatible.5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said substrate layer comprising one of the PET (Mylar) claim 1 , TPX claim 1 , PEN claim 1 , and polyimide material.6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method of disposing the ...

Highly controllable electroactive materials and electroactive actuators capable of pronounced contraction and expansion

This invention describes a method for producing highly controllable motion in electroactive materials and electroactive actuators capable of pronounced contraction and expansion, which act as synthetic muscle, tendon, fascia, perimysium, epimysium, and skin that wrinkles, comprising ion-containing, cross-linked electroactive material(s); solvent(s); electrode(s); attachments to levers or other objects; and coating(s). Restriction of movement in undesired direction(s) produces pronounced movement in the desired direction(s). The electroactive material itself or the electroactive actuator may be used individually or grouped to produce movement when activated by electricity. This invention can provide for human-like motion, durability, toughness, speed, and strength. The electroactive materials and electroactive actuators, with highly controllable motion, can be attached to objects and devices to produce motion with no metal pulleys, gears, or motors needed.

FLEXIBLE COMPACT NANOGENERATORS BASED ON MECHANORADICAL-FORMING POROUS POLYMER FILMS

Power generators that incorporate porous electric generation layers composed of mechanoradical-forming polymers are provided. Also provided are methods for using the generators to convert mechanical energy into and electrical signal to power electronic devices. The porous electric generation material includes an organic polymer that forms free radicals when covalent bonds are homolytically ruptured upon the application of a compressive force to the porous structure. 1. An electric generator comprising:a first deformable electrode;a second deformable electrode in electrical communication with the first deformable electrode; anda deformable porous layer of electric generation material disposed between the first deformable electrode and the second deformable electrode, wherein the electric generation material comprises a porous support and a polymer coating on the surfaces of the porous support, including the surfaces of the pore walls, the polymer coating comprising an organic polymer that forms mechanoradicals upon the application of a compressive force.2. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the porous support is an aerogel.3. The generator of claim 2 , wherein the porous support comprises an intrinsically piezoelectric material.4. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the porous support comprises an intrinsically piezoelectric material.5. The generator of claim 1 , wherein porous support comprises cellulose.6. The generator of claim 5 , wherein the cellulose is a piezoelectric form of cellulose.7. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the porous support comprises a polysaccharide.8. The generator of claim 7 , wherein the polysaccharide is a chitin or a chitosan.9. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the porous support comprises a second organic polymer that is different from the organic polymer that forms mechanoradicals upon the application of a compressive force.10. The generator of claim 9 , wherein the second organic polymer is poly(vinyl alcohol).11. The generator of ...

IMPLANT DEVICE FOR IN-BODY BLOOD FLOW CONTROL

An implantable blood flow control system has an open passageway defined inside a radially inner wall, behind which is a closed passageway. The radially inner wall includes electroactive polymer actuator members for providing a variable flow restriction. The flow restriction has an undulating shape so that the volume of the closed passageway may remain constant during actuation of the electroactive polymer actuator members. In this way, the chamber behind the actuator members does not impede free movement of the actuator members. The undulating pattern presents no sharp edges, where blood coagulation could otherwise occur. 1. An implantable blood flow control system , comprising:a radially outer wall;a radially inner wall;a first, open, passageway defined inside the radially inner wall; anda second, closed, passageway defined between the radially inner and outer walls, wherein the second, closed, passageway is closed at its ends,wherein the radially inner wall comprises electroactive polymer actuator members for providing a variable flow restriction, andwherein the variable flow restriction provided by the electroactive polymer actuator members has first regions of an increased radius of the first, open, passageway and second regions of a decreased radius of the first, open, passageway, for reducing variations in volume of the second, closed, passageway during actuation of the electroactive polymer actuator members.2. The implantable blood flow control system of claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer actuator members comprise bending actuators claim 1 , mounted at their ends to radial supporting walls which connect to the radially outer wall.3. The implantable blood flow control system of claim 2 , wherein the radial supporting walls comprise vents.4. The implantable blood flow control system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second regions are positioned alternately around the circumference of the radially inner wall.5. The implantable blood flow control ...

IMPLANTABLE DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD

An implantable device includes an EAP actuator and a sensor. The sensor is configured to monitor a force external to the implantable device acting in a direction either with or counter to a direction of actuation of the actuator, and a controller is adapted to control the actuator to actuate at a moment when force counter to the direction of actuation is sensed to be at its lowest within a given time window or force with the direction of actuation is sensed to be at its highest within a given time window. In this way, actuation is effected at a moment of least resistance force, reducing the power needed for deployment of the actuator, and permitting actuation to occur even in conditions experiencing large variable forces. 1. An implantable device comprising:a support structure;an actuator comprising an electroactive polymer material, the actuator being mounted to the support structure, wherein the actuator has a direction of actuation;a sensing means adapted to sense an external force being exerted in a direction opposing said direction of actuation or in said direction of actuation; and interpret signals from the sensing means to monitor said external force over time; and', 'drive the actuator to actuate at a moment in time when force opposing the direction of actuation is sensed to be at its lowest within a given time window or force in the direction of actuation is sensed to be at its highest within a given time window., 'a controller for controlling actuation of the actuator and receiving signals from the sensing means, the controller adapted to2. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the external force is periodic claim 1 , and wherein said given time window is a single cycle period of the periodic force.3. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein sensing the external force being exerted in a direction towards the actuator comprises sensing a force being applied to at least a region of the actuator.4. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the ...

VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE AND TRIFLUOROETHYLENE CONTAINING POLYMERS LATEXES

The invention provides novel latexes of particles of vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene copolymers possessing a more ordered ferroelectric crystalline phase, and hence improved ferro-, pyro-, and piezo-electric properties, and a method for manufacturing the same by emulsion polymerization in the presence of certain cyclic fluorosurfactants. 2. The aqueous latex of claim 1 , wherein polymer (F) comprises recurring units derived from one or more than one fluoromonomers other than VDF and TrFE claim 1 , or recurring units derived from one or more than one non-fluorinated monomers.3. The aqueous latex of claim 1 , wherein polymer (F) comprises:recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) in an amount of from 60% to 81% moles, with respect to the total moles of recurring units;recurring units trifluoroethylene (TrFE) in an amount of from 18% to 39% moles, with respect to the total moles of recurring units, andoptionally recurring units derived from at least one additional monomer different from VDF and TrFE, in an amount of 0 to 5% moles.4. The aqueous latex of claim 1 , wherein polymer (F) consists essentially of recurring units derived from VDF and TrFE.5. The aqueous latex of claim 1 , wherein the melt flow index (MFI) of polymer (F) claim 1 , as determined according to ASTM D 1238 (230° C./5 kg) claim 1 , is of 0.5 to 500 g/10 min.8. The method for making a latex according to claim 7 , wherein the hydrophilic function Y is a carboxylate of formula (3″).12. The method for making a latex according to claim 7 , wherein polymerization pressure is comprised between 10 and 40 bars and/or wherein the polymerization temperature is selected in the range 60 to 120° C.13. The method for making a latex according to claim 7 , wherein the radical initiator is selected from the group consisting of organic radical initiators.14. The method for making a latex according to claim 7 , wherein the radical initiator is selected from the group consisting of inorganic radical ...

COPOLYMERS CONTAINING VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE AND TRIFLUOROETHYLENE

The subject matter of the invention is a copolymer obtained by free-radical copolymerization of vinylidene fluoride with trifluoroethylene and of at least a third monomer, the third monomer having a molar mass greater than 0 g/mol and corresponding to the formula: in which Ris a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, and Rand Rare chosen, independently of one another, from Cl, F and CF, and the functional groups are selected from phosphonate, carboxylic acid, SOX (where X is F, OK, ONa or OH) or Si(OR)(R being a methyl, ethyl or isopropyl group) groups. The invention also relates to a process for preparing this copolymer. 2. The copolymer as claimed in claim 1 , in which the third monomer is chosen from 2 claim 1 ,3 claim 1 ,3 claim 1 ,3-tetrafluoropropene claim 1 , 2-chloro-3 claim 1 ,3 claim 1 ,3-trifluoropropene claim 1 , α claim 1 ,β-difluoroacrylic acid claim 1 , 2-(trifluoro)methacrylic acid claim 1 , dimethyl vinylphosphonate claim 1 , bromotrifluoroethylene claim 1 , vinyl trifluoroacetate claim 1 , itaconic acid and t-butyl 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylate.3. The copolymer as claimed in claim 1 , in which:the molar proportion of units resulting from the vinylidene fluoride monomer is from 40 to 90% and preferably from 55 to 80%;the molar proportion of units resulting from the trifluoroethylene monomer is from 5 to 50% and preferably from 10 to 40%; andthe molar proportion of units resulting from the third monomer is from 1 to 20% and preferably from 2 to 18%.5. The process as claimed in claim 4 , in which the third monomer is chosen from 2 claim 4 ,3 claim 4 ,3 claim 4 ,3-tetrafluoropropene claim 4 , 2-chloro-3 claim 4 ,3 claim 4 ,3-trifluoropropene claim 4 , α claim 4 ,β-difluoroacrylic acid claim 4 , 2-(trifluoro)methacrylic acid claim 4 , dimethyl vinylphosphonate claim 4 , bromotrifluoroethylene claim 4 , vinyl trifluoroacetate claim 4 , itaconic acid and t-butyl 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylate.7. The process as claimed in claim 4 , in which the reaction mixture is ...

MECHANISMS FOR PRE-STRETCHING ELECTRO-ACTIVE POLYMERS BY A PRE-DETERMINED AMOUNT AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an exemplary inventive method having steps of: providing at least one housing having a pre-determined physical structure; fixing a first edge of at least one electro-active polymer (EAP) film within the at least one housing; connecting a first edge of at least one pulling mechanism to a second edge of the at least one EAP film; where a second edge of the at least one pulling mechanism extends outside of the at least one housing; sufficiently pulling at the second edge of the at least one pulling mechanism to form at least one pre-stretched EAP film that has been stretched in a first axial direction within the at least one housing by a first pre-determined, pre-stretched amount; and where the pre-determined, pre-stretched amount is limited by the pre-determined physical structure of the housing. 1. A method , comprising:providing at least one housing having a pre-determined physical structure;fixing a first edge of at least one electro-active polymer (EAP) film within the at least one housing;connecting a first edge of at least one pulling mechanism to a second edge of the at least one EAP film;wherein the first edge and the second edge of the at least one EAP film are opposite of each other;wherein a second edge of the at least one pulling mechanism extends outside of the at least one housing;sufficiently pulling at the second edge of the at least one pulling mechanism to form at least one pre-stretched EAP film that has been stretched in a first axial direction within the at least one housing by a first pre-determined, pre-stretched amount; andwherein the pre-determined, pre-stretched amount is limited by the pre-determined physical structure of the housing.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:utilizing at least one first attachment mechanism to fix the first edge of the at least one EAP film to a first edge of the at least one housing; andutilizing at least one second attachment mechanism to fix ...

ACTUATOR DEVICE USING CURRENT-ADDRESSED ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER

The device as defined by the claims comprises electroactive polymer actuators () each of which is addressed by two addressing lines for selecting the electroactive polymer actuator and a current direction drive mode. A first circuit () is for driving a controllable current through the electroactive actuator in a first direction and a second circuit () is for driving a controllable current through the electroactive actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. This device enables an actuator to be driven with current in two opposite directions so that the actuator may be driven bidirectionally between actuation states. 1. A device comprising an actuator unit , the actuator unit comprising:an electroactive actuator for current-addressed actuation; a first control line and a second control line for controlling the actuator unit;', 'a first circuit comprising a first transistor for driving a current through the electroactive actuator in a first direction, the gate of the first transistor being associated with the first control line; and', 'a second circuit comprising a second transistor for driving a current through the electroactive actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the gate of the second transistor being associated with the second control line., 'a driving circuit for current-addressed actuation of the electroactive actuator, the driving circuit comprising2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the channels of the first transistor and of the second transistor are in series between a first power line and a second power line claim 1 , and the electroactive polymer actuator is connected to a junction between the channels of the first transistor and of the second transistor.3. The device of claim 1 , wherein:the first control line comprises a first data line and a first addressing line and the second control line comprises a second data line and a second addressing line; 'a first switch between the first data line and the gate ...

ACTUATOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD

An electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducer may include (a) one or more EMP layers each having a first operating characteristic; and (b) one or more EMP layers each having a second operating characteristic different from the first operating characteristic. The EMP transducer may include at least two EMP layers that are activated independently, and one or more EMP layers being configured to be a sensing layer. The sensing layer may sensitive to one or both of the operating characteristics (e.g., temperature, strain, pressure and their respective rates of change). Other operating characteristic may include resin type, modulus, film thicknesses, degrees of deformations, operating temperature ranges, a stretching ratio of the EMP layers, metallization patterns of electrodes, arrangements of active and inactive EMP layers, arrangements of irradiated EMP layers, arrangements of EMP layers acting as sensors, and arrangements of inactive layers of various degrees of stiffness. 1. An electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducer , comprising:one or more EMP layers each having a first operating characteristic; andone or more EMP layers each having a second operating characteristic different from the first operating characteristic.2. The EMP transducer of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the EMP layers are activated independently.3. The EMP transducer of claim 1 , further comprising one or more EMP layers each being configured to be a sensing layer.4. The EMP transducer of claim 3 , wherein the sensing layer is sensitive to at least one of the first operating characteristics and the second operating characteristic.5. The EMP transducer of claim 3 , wherein the sensing layer is sensitive to an operating characteristic selected from a group consisting of temperature claim 3 , strain claim 3 , pressure and their respective rates of change.6. The EMP transducer of claim 1 , wherein the first operating characteristic and the second operating characteristic are each selected from ...

Polymer Composite Actuator and Generator Driven by Water Gradients

Water-responsive composite materials are provided containing a polymeric matrix and a water-responsive gel integrated into the polymeric matrix. The water-responsive gel can include a polyol or an alkoxylated polyol crosslinked by reversibly hydrolysable bonds, such as borate ester bonds. The polymeric matrix can include conjugated polymers such as poly(pyrrole) containing polymers. The composite material is capable of rapid actuation in the presence of a water gradient and can exhibit power densities greater than 1 W/kg. Methods of making water-responsive composite materials are provided, including by electropolymerization. Devices containing water-responsive composite materials are provided for sensing, locomotion, and power generation. 1. A composite material comprisinga rigid polymeric matrix comprising a pyrrole-containing polymers, where the monomer can be pyrrole or substituted pyrrole molecules or a mixture thereof,a water-responsive gel integrated into the polymeric matrix, wherein the water-responsive gel comprises reversibly hydrolyzable bonds.2. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the hydrolyzable bonds comprise ester bonds.3. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the gel comprises a borate ester.4. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the gel comprises an ester of a polyol or alkoxylated polyol.5. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the gel is formed from an alkoxylated polyol having a number average molecular weight of 200 to 5 claim 1 ,000 grams/mole.6. The composite material of claim 5 , wherein the alkoxylated polyol is crosslinked by reversibly hydrolyzable borate esters.7. The composite material of claim 5 , wherein the alkoylated polyol is a diol claim 5 , triol claim 5 , or tetrol.8. The composite material of claim 5 , wherein the alkoxylated polyol is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated diols claim 5 , ethoxylated triols claim 5 , ethoxylated tetrols claim 5 , propoxylated diols claim 5 , propoxylated ...

METHOD OF MANUFACTURE FOR POLYMER FOAM-BASED PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL

Thermally stable piezoelectric polymer foams (ferroelectrets) with high piezoelectric activity for sensing and actuation. The invention further includes a method of fabricating such foams in an environmentally friendly manner. 1. A method for producing a multilayer polymer ferroelectret , comprising:fabricating a plurality of patterned polymer layers, each patterned layer comprising a plurality of cavities separated by supporting structures;fabricating a metallized polymer top layer and a metallized polymer bottom layer;arranging the patterned layers and the metallized top and bottom layers such that at least one of the patterned layers is positioned between the top and bottom metallized layers to form an assembly;coupling the layers of the assembly using a carbon dioxide bonding process to form a bonded assembly; andelectrically charging the bonded assembly by subjecting the assembly to an energy source.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a first patterned polymer layer and a second patterned polymer layer.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cavities of the first patterned layer are horizontally offset from the cavities of the second patterned layer when the first and second patterned layers are arranged in the assembly.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein an amount of the offset is approximately equal to half of a width of the cavities.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from cyclo-olefin copolymer claim 1 , cyclic-olefin polymer claim 1 , polypropylene claim 1 , polyethylene naphthalene claim 1 , polyethylene terephthalate claim 1 , fluorinated ethylene propylene claim 1 , polytetrafluoroethylene claim 1 , polyethylene claim 1 , polyetherimide claim 1 , and mixtures thereof.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a polymer foam.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is a corona discharge or contact charge.8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is an electric field or current.9. The method of ...

Electroactive actuator, mechanical device including the same, and polymer electrolyte

An electroactive actuator includes a polymer electrolyte and an electrode configured to apply an electric field to the polymer electrolyte, the polymer electrolyte includes a self-assembled block copolymer including a conductive block and a non-conductive block, a compound to form a single ion conductor with the self-assembled block copolymer, and a zwitterion. A mechanical device including the electroactive actuator and a polymer electrolyte are also disclosed.

PIEZOELECTRIC COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF

Piezoelectric composites are described. A piezoelectric composite can include a polymeric matrix, piezoelectric additive(s), and polyol. Methods of making and using the piezoelectric composite are also described.

PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL AND COMPOSITION FOR PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric material, comprising: 2. The piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein an amount of the vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene copolymer is 99 to 40% by mass based on the whole piezoelectric material claim 1 , and an amount of the (meth)acrylic polymer is 1 to 60% by mass based on the whole piezoelectric material.3. The piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein the vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene copolymer has a weight-average molecular weight of 100 claim 1 ,000 or higher.4. The piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , in the vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene copolymer claim 1 , an amount of a structural unit derived from vinylidene fluoride is 55 to 90% by mole based on the amount of all structural units.5. The piezoelectric material according to claim 1 , wherein the (meth)acrylic polymer has a weight-average molecular weight of 10 claim 1 ,000 to 2 claim 1 ,000 claim 1 ,000. The present invention relates to a piezoelectric material and a composition for a piezoelectric material.A vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene copolymer (P(VDF/TrFE)), which is a ferroelectric polymer that is a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE), is known as a piezoelectric material having excellent piezoelectric properties and large spontaneous polarization (remnant polarization). This piezoelectric material is used in various piezoelectric elements, such as piezoelectric sensors/transducers and infrared pyroelectric sensors.Patent Document 1 discloses a piezoelectric film that is produced from a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene at a specific molar ratio. Patent Document 2 discloses a piezoelectric film composed of a mixture of at least two copolymers which are each obtained by copolymerizing vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene and have different polymerization ratios of vinylidene fluoride and ...

METHOD OF PREPARING SHAPE-RECONFIGURABLE MICROPATTERNED POLYMER HAPTIC MATERIAL USING ELECTRIC FIELD TECHNIQUE

The present invention relates to a method of preparing a shape-reconfigurable micropatterned polymer haptic material using an electric field technique, and more particularly, to a method of preparing a shape-reconfigurable micro-patterned polymer thin film and a haptic material by controlling the orientation of a liquid-crystalline organic polymer using an electric field control system and inducing the generation of defect structures having a regular microstructure array in a polymer film. 1. A method of preparing a shape-reconfigurable micropatterned polymer thin film , the method comprising:(a) forming a polymer alignment layer on each of two patterned electrode substrates;(b) fabricating a sandwich electrode cell by cross-assembling the two patterned electrode substrates on which the polymer alignment layer is formed at regular intervals;(c) injecting a liquid-crystalline organic monomer mixture between the two substrates of the sandwich electrode cell; and(d) producing a micropatterned polymer thin film by performing photocuring of the mixture in a state in which an electric field is applied to the sandwich electrode cells containing the liquid-crystalline organic monomer mixture therein.2. The method of preparing a shape-reconfigurable micropatterned polymer thin film of claim 1 , wherein the patterned electrode substrate in step (a) is an electrode substrate having a stripe pattern.3. The method of preparing a shape-reconfigurable micropatterned polymer thin film of claim 1 , wherein the patterned electrode substrates on which the polymer alignment layer is formed in step (b) claim 1 , are electrode substrates having stripe patterns at different spacing.4. The method of preparing a shape-reconfigurable micropatterned polymer thin film of claim 2 , wherein each stripe in the stripe pattern has a width of 5 to 20 μm claim 2 , and a spacing between stripes in the strip pattern is 5 to 40 μm.5. The method of preparing a shape-reconfigurable micropatterned polymer ...

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING TACTILE STIMULUS INCORPORATING TRI-LAYER ACTUATORS

An apparatus provides tactile stimulus to a human user using a tri-layer actuator comprising: first and second polymer layers which are electronically and ionically conductive and have one or more dimensions which vary in dependence on insertion of ions therein and withdrawal of ions therefrom; and a deformable layer located between the first and second polymer layers to physically separate the first and second polymer layers from one another, the deformable layer electronically insulating and ionically conductive. Application of first and second voltages between the first and second polymer layers creates corresponding first and second distributions of ions within the first and second polymer layers. Changing between application of the first and second voltages causes corresponding deformation of the tri-layer actuator between corresponding first and second shapes, a difference or transition between the first and second shapes detectable by a sense of touch of a human user. 1. An apparatus for providing tactile stimulus to a human user , the apparatus comprising:a plurality of tri-layer actuators arranged along a surface and spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction, the transverse direction generally tangential to the surface; first and second conductive layers, the first and second conductive layers electronically and ionically conductive, the first and second conductive layers having one or more dimensions which vary in dependence on insertion of ions therein and withdrawal of ions therefrom;', 'a deformable layer located between and in contact with the first and second conductive layers to physically separate the first and second conductive layers from one another, the deformable layer electronically insulating and ionically conductive; and, 'each tri-layer actuator comprising wherein, for each tri-layer actuator:', 'application of first and second voltages between the first and second conductive layers creates corresponding first and second ...

Method for Producing a Piezoelectric Transformer and Piezoelectric Transformer

A piezoelectric transformer and a method for producing a piezoelectric transformer are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes manufacturing a main body having an input region having electrodes and a first piezoelectric material being alternately stacked one on top of the other. An output region includes a second piezoelectric material. The first piezoelectric material is polarized and a removable contact is fitted to an output-side end side of the main body, which end side faces away from the input region. A first electrical potential is applied to the removable contact for polarizing the second piezoelectric material. 113-. (canceled)14. A method for producing a piezoelectric transformer , the method comprising:manufacturing a main body having an input region comprising first electrodes and a first piezoelectric material being alternately stacked one on top of the other, the main body also having an output region comprising a second piezoelectric material;polarizing the first piezoelectric material;fitting a removable contact to an output-side end side of the main body, the output-side end side facing away from the input region; andapplying a first electrical potential to the removable contact for polarizing the second piezoelectric material.15. The method according to claim 14 ,wherein the input region has two outer electrodes;wherein the first electrodes in the input region are respectively connected to one of the two outer electrode; andwherein, for polarizing the second piezoelectric material, a second electrical potential is applied to the two outer electrodes so that a voltage is applied between the first electrodes of the input region and the output-side end side.16. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising removing the removable contact after fitting the removable contact to the output-side end side of the main body.17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the removable contact is fitted by a contact element being pressed ...

RECONFIGURABLE ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED SHAPE MORPHING DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER DEVICE

An electrically-controllable shape morphing device comprising a multi-layer structure including a plurality of elastomer layers and a plurality of electrode layers formed between the plurality of elastomer layers. A geometry and/or size of at least one electrode in a first layer of the plurality of electrode layers is different than a geometry and/or size of at least one other electrode in a second layer of the plurality of electrode layers. Each of the plurality of electrode layers is individually addressable such that the electrode layer is configured to receive a variable voltage. The multi-layer structure is configured to change shape from a first shape to a second shape when a differential voltage is applied between electrodes in the plurality of electrode layers. The device may further comprise stiffening elements attached on or within elastomer layers to locally alter mechanical stiffness of the elastomer layers in at least one direction. 1. An electrically-controllable shape morphing device , comprising:a multi-layer structure including a plurality of elastomer layers and a plurality of electrode layers formed between the plurality of elastomer layers;wherein a geometry and/or size of at least one electrode in a first layer of the plurality of electrode layers is different than a geometry and/or size of at least one other electrode in a second layer of the plurality of electrode layers,wherein each of the plurality of electrode layers is individually addressable such that the electrode layer is configured to receive a variable voltage, andwherein the multi-layer structure is configured to change shape from a first shape to a second shape when a first differential voltage is applied between electrodes in the plurality of electrode layers.2. The electrically-controllable shape morphing device of claim 1 , wherein some or all electrodes in the plurality of electrode layers are individually addressable.3. The electrically-controllable shape morphing device of ...

PIEZOELECTRIC FIBER COMPOSITE AND PIEZOELECTRIC CLOTHING

A piezoelectric fiber composite that includes a substrate having a first expansion and contraction rate, a piezoelectric fiber assembly having piezoelectric fibers that generate electrical charges upon application of external energy and has a second expansion and contraction rate different from the first expansion and contraction rate of the substrate, and a joint portion that joins the substrate and the piezoelectric fiber assembly. 1. A piezoelectric fiber composite comprising:a substrate having a first expansion and contraction rate;a piezoelectric fiber assembly having piezoelectric fibers that generate electrical charges upon application of external energy, the piezoelectric fiber assembly having a second expansion and contraction rate different from the first expansion and contraction rate of the substrate; anda joint portion that joins the substrate and the piezoelectric fiber assembly.2. The piezoelectric fiber composite according to claim 1 , whereinthe joint portion has portions that face each other across the piezoelectric fiber assembly; andthe piezoelectric fiber assembly is stretchable between the portions that face each other.3. The piezoelectric fiber composite according to claim 1 , wherein the first expansion and contraction rate of the substrate is lower than the second expansion and contraction rate of the piezoelectric fiber assembly.4. The piezoelectric fiber composite according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric fiber assembly is joined to the substrate in a state of being stretched to a length longer than a natural length of the piezoelectric fiber assembly.5. The piezoelectric fiber composite according claim 1 , whereinthe substrate has a sheet shape; andthe piezoelectric fiber assembly is disposed on one surface of the substrate.6. The piezoelectric fiber composite according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric fiber assembly is constructed such that the electrical charges generated upon the application of the external energy are ...

AN ACTUATOR DEVICE INCORPORATING AN ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATOR AND A DRIVING METHOD

A field-driven electroactive polymer actuator is provided with a current sensor for sensing a current flowing to the actuator. A control circuit is used for driving the actuator which includes a voltage source. The driving of the actuator is controlled in dependence on the sensed current, thereby to provide a predetermined charge delivery for particular changes in actuation level of the actuator. This provides a combined voltage-based and current-based drive scheme for a voltage-driven EAP actuator, and it enables mechanical movements of the actuator to be more reliably repeated. 1. An device for converting an electrical input into a mechanical output comprising:a field-driven electroactive polymer actuator;a current sensor, wherein the current sensor is arranged to sense a current flowing to the electroactive polymer actuator; and wherein the control circuit is arranged to drive the electroactive polymer actuator,', 'wherein the control circuit comprises a controllable voltage source,', 'wherein the control circuit is arranged to control the driving of the actuator in dependence on the sensed current, thereby to provide a predetermined charge delivery to the actuator based on current monitoring to implement particular changes in actuation level and then to maintain an actuation level using voltage control., 'a control circuit,'}2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the particular changes comprise actuation to at least one specific actuation level.2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the voltage source is arranged to deliver a maximum voltage of at least 50V.4. The device as claimed in claim 1 ,wherein the predetermined charge delivery is provided with an actuation voltage which exceeds the voltage level used during the voltage control.5. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the predetermined charge delivery is provided by a current source of the control circuit.6. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the predetermined charge delivery is ...

TRANSDUCER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

Provided is a transducer that can be manufactured without using a volatile adhesive or an organic solvent. A transducer is provided with: a first electrode sheet provided with a plurality of first through-holes; a dielectric layer, of which a first surface is disposed on the first-electrode-sheet side; and a first fusion-bonding layer formed from a fusion-bonding material, the first fusion-bonding layer joining together, by fusion bonding of the fusion-bonding material, a boundary region between a body portion of the dielectric layer and a first inner surface of the first electrode sheet and a boundary region between the body portion of the dielectric layer and a first inner circumferential surface of at least some of the plurality of first through-holes. 1. A transducer comprising:a first electrode sheet provided with a plurality of first through-holes;a dielectric layer with a first surface that is disposed on a side of the first electrode sheet; anda first fusion-bonding layer formed from a fusion-bonding material, wherein the first fusion-bonding layer joining together, by fusion-bonding of the fusion-bonding material, a boundary region between a body portion of the dielectric layer and a first inner surface of the first electrode sheet and a boundary region between the body portion of the dielectric layer and a first inner circumferential surface of at least some of the plurality of first through-holes.2. The transducer according to claim 1 ,wherein the dielectric layer is formed from a thermoplastic material,the first fusion-bonding layer applies a part of the dielectric layer as the fusion-bonding material and bonds the respective boundary regions through fusion-bonding of the part of the dielectric layer, andthe first fusion-bonding layer is formed from the same material constituent as that of the dielectric layer.3. The transducer according to claim 1 ,wherein the dielectric layer is formed from a non-thermoplastic material, andthe first fusion-bonding ...

FORMING A PIEZOELECTRIC MEMBRANE

A piezoelectric membrane and a forming method thereof are provided, wherein the method of forming the piezoelectric membrane includes providing a porous substrate film, which is a membrane structure formed by a plurality of fibers and has two main surfaces. Then, piezoelectric material solution is permeated into the porous substrate film and then hardened, such that the fibers are partially covered with the piezoelectric material. 1. A method of forming a piezoelectric membrane , comprising:providing a porous substrate film, which is a membrane structure with two main surfaces and formed by a plurality of fibers;permeating a piezoelectric material solution into the porous substrate film; andhardening the piezoelectric material solution so that the fibers are covered by a piezoelectric material, wherein the piezoelectric material comprises polyhexamethylene adipamide, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), or poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA).2. The method of forming the piezoelectric membrane according to claim 1 , wherein a method of permeating the piezoelectric material solution into the porous substrate film comprises coating the piezoelectric material solution on the porous substrate film.3. The method of forming the piezoelectric membrane according to claim 2 , wherein a method of coating the piezoelectric material solution on the porous substrate film comprises spin coating claim 2 , blade coating claim 2 , or screen printing.4. The method of forming the piezoelectric membrane according to claim 2 , wherein the piezoelectric material solution is formed by dissolving the piezoelectric material in a solvent claim 2 , and the solvent comprises acetone or tetrahydrofuran.5. The method of forming the piezoelectric membrane according to claim 4 , wherein a concentration of the piezoelectric material in the piezoelectric material solution is 20 percent by weight or less.6. The method of forming the piezoelectric membrane ...

ULTRASONIC FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

An ultrasonic fingerprint recognition assembly is provided. The ultrasonic fingerprint recognition assembly includes a cover plate, a display panel, and an ultrasonic sensor disposed between the cover plate and the display panel. The ultrasonic sensor includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate which is close to the display panel, and a piezoelectric layer and a conductive layer which are disposed on the TFT substrate sequentially. The piezoelectric layer is obtained by mixing a piezoelectric material with an organic solvent, coating a mixture of the piezoelectric material and the organic solvent on a substrate, and conducting crystallization and polarization treatment. The organic solvent includes at least one of: butanone, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, and dimethylacetamide. 1. An ultrasonic fingerprint recognition assembly , comprising:a cover plate;a display panel; andan ultrasonic sensor disposed between the cover plate and the display panel, wherein the ultrasonic sensor comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate which is close to the display panel, and a piezoelectric layer and a conductive layer which are disposed on the TFT substrate sequentially; and wherein the piezoelectric layer is obtained by mixing a piezoelectric material with an organic solvent, coating a mixture of the piezoelectric material and the organic solvent on a substrate, and conducting crystallization and polarization treatment, the organic solvent comprises at least one of: butanone, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, and dimethylacetamide.2. The ultrasonic fingerprint recognition assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover plate is provided with a surface treatment layer on a surface of the cover plate which is far away from the ultrasonic sensor claim 1 , and the surface treatment layer comprises at least one of: an anti-glare layer claim 1 , an anti-reflection layer claim 1 , and an anti-fingerprint layer.3. The ultrasonic fingerprint recognition assembly of ...

Piezoelectric composite fiber

Multicomponent fibers with a piezoelectric effect, including an electroactive fluoropolymer shell which adheres to a metal core. Also, a solvent-based fluoropolymer formulation which makes it possible to obtain optimum adhesion to a bare, electrically conductive metal filament. Also, a process for manufacturing these composite fibers, and also their uses in varied sectors of technical textiles, filtration and in electronics.

ION DIPOLES CONTAINING POLYMER COMPOSITIONS

A dielectric polymer, methods of making the dielectric polymer, and uses thereof (e.g. piezoelectric sensors and/or actuators) are described. The dielectric polymer includes a polymeric matrix (e.g. a copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile SAN, or a terpolymer of the former with methyl methacrylate MMA-SAN) derived from at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer and an ionic liquid that includes an organic cation and a balancing anion (e.g. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate BMMMPF6). The ionic liquid is compatible with the at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer and the concentration of the ionic liquid in the dielectric polymeric composition ranges from 0.5 wt. % to less than 30 wt. %. 1. A dielectric polymeric composition comprising:(a) a polymeric matrix, wherein the polymeric matrix is derived from at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer; and(b) an ionic liquid comprising an organic cation and a balancing anion,wherein the ionic liquid is compatible with the at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer,wherein the concentration of the ionic liquid in the dielectric polymeric composition ranges from 0.5 wt. % to less than 30 wt. %.2. The dielectric polymeric composition of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric polymeric composition is capable of a polarization of greater than 30 μC/cmupon the application of an electric field of less than 30 kilovolts/centimeter.3. The dielectric polymeric composition of claim 1 , wherein the ionic liquid is incorporated into the polymeric matrix.4. The dielectric polymeric composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric matrix is formed claim 1 , in situ claim 1 , in the presence of the ionic liquid and in the absence of a solvent.5. The dielectric polymeric composition of claim 1 , wherein the ionic liquid concentration ranges from 5 wt. % to 20 wt. %.6. The dielectric polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric polymeric composition is a Tg miscible blend.7. The dielectric polymer composition of claim 1 , ...

PIEZOELECTRIC SUBSTRATE, SENSOR, ACTUATOR, BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION ACQUISITION DEVICE, AND PIEZOELECTRIC FIBER STRUCTURE

Provided is a piezoelectric substrate, containing an elongate piezoelectric body that is helically wound, in which the piezoelectric body includes an optically active polypeptide, a length direction of the piezoelectric body and a main orientation direction of the optically active polypeptide included in the piezoelectric body are substantially parallel to each other, and the piezoelectric body has a degree of orientation F of from 0.50 to less than 1.00, as determined from X-ray diffraction measurement by the following Formula (a): 1. A piezoelectric substrate , comprisingan elongate piezoelectric body that is helically wound, whereinthe piezoelectric body includes an optically active polypeptide,a length direction of the piezoelectric body and a main orientation direction of the optically active polypeptide included in the piezoelectric body are substantially parallel to each other, and {'br': None, 'i': 'F', 'Degree of orientation =(180°−α)/180°\u2003\u2003(a)'}, 'the piezoelectric body has a degree of orientation F of from 0.50 to less than 1.00, as determined from X-ray diffraction measurement by the following Formula (a)wherein, in Formula (a), α represents a half width (°) of a peak derived from orientation.2. The piezoelectric substrate according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate piezoelectric body is helically wound in a single direction.3. The piezoelectric substrate according to claim 1 , further comprising an elongate core material claim 1 , wherein the elongate piezoelectric body is helically wound around the elongate core material.4. The piezoelectric substrate according to claim 3 , wherein the elongate core material is a conductor.5. The piezoelectric substrate according to claim 3 , comprising an outer conductor on an outer peripheral side of the elongate piezoelectric body claim 3 , wherein the elongate core material and the outer conductor are electrically insulated from each other.6. The piezoelectric substrate according to claim 1 , comprising ...

BISTABLE HAPTIC FEEDBACK GENERATOR

This disclosure relates to haptic feedback generators, including bistable materials for providing haptic feedback to a user. Such haptic feedback generators are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories. 1. A haptic feedback generator , comprising:a. a structural material;b. a bistable material configured in a first bistable configuration associated with the structural material;c. a first actuator coupled to the bistable material which when activated causes the bistable material to move from the first bistable configuration to a second bistable configuration, thereby generating haptic feedback; andd. a first actuator activation signal receiver, which upon receipt of an actuator activation signal, initiates activation of the first actuator.2. The haptic feedback generator of claim 1 , wherein the bistable material comprises carbon fibers embedded in a polymer matrix.3. The haptic feedback generator of claim 2 , wherein the carbon fibers are contained in at least a first layer and a second layer claim 2 , and wherein the carbon fibers in the first and second layers are oriented about 90° to one another.4. The haptic feedback generator of claim 1 , where the bistable material is initially molded into a curved configuration about or around a first axis of the bistable material.5. The haptic feedback generator of claim 4 , wherein after activation by the first actuator claim 4 , the bistable material moves into a second curved configuration about or around a second axis of the bistable material.6. The haptic feedback generator of claim 1 , wherein the bistable material comprises two polymer layers claim 1 , each layer having been uni-axially oriented and bonded to the other layer with the uni-axial orientation of one of the two polymer layers being 90° to the uni-axial orientation of the second of the two polymer layers.7. The haptic feedback generator of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a shape memory material alloy (SMA) or macro ...

STRUCTURED ACTUATORS: SHAPED ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS

An actuator assembly includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electroactive polymer layer disposed between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, where the electroactive polymer layer includes a non-vertical (e.g., sloped) sidewall with respect to a major surface of at least one of the electrodes. The electroactive polymer layer may be characterized by a non-axisymmetric shape with respect to an axis that is oriented orthogonal to an electrode major surface. 1. An actuator assembly comprising:a primary electrode;a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode; andan electroactive polymer layer disposed between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, wherein the electroactive polymer layer comprises a non-vertical sidewall with respect to a major surface of at least one of the electrodes.2. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer layer is at least approximately 90% dense.3. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer layer comprises at least one pair of opposing non-vertical sidewalls.4. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer layer comprises a plurality of non-vertical sidewalls.5. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer layer comprises a plurality of ribs or pillars.6. The actuator assembly of claim 5 , wherein the ribs or pillars are non-axisymmetric.7. The actuator assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a layer of high dielectric constant material located over the primary electrode and between an adjacent pair of the ribs or pillars.8. The actuator assembly of claim 5 , wherein the primary electrode is disposed over a substrate claim 5 , the substrate comprising an upwardly-extending mesa between an adjacent pair of the ribs or pillars.9. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer layer comprises a ...

Silk-based piezoelectric materials

The invention relates to methods and compositions for preparing silk-based piezoelectric materials and methods for increasing piezoelectricity in silk matrices.

PIEZOELECTRIC POLYMER ELEMENT AND PRODUCTION METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

A piezoelectric polymer element such as a fibre or film is described, having a solid cross-section and a substantially homogeneous composition. A method of forming such a piezoelectric polymer element is also described. The method has the steps of extruding a polymer material and concurrently poling a region of the extruded material. Apparatus for forming such a piezoelectric polymer element is also described that comprises an extruder for extruding a polymer element from a granular feed and a pair of electrodes for applying an electric field across a region of the element concurrently with its extrusion. Also described is a piezoelectric construct having such piezoelectric polymer elements interposed between two conductive layers. A system for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy is described in which each of the piezoelectric construct's two conductive layers is connected to a respective terminal of a rectifying circuit. 1. A method of forming a piezoelectric polymer element , the method having the steps of extruding a polymer material and concurrently poling a region of the extruded material.25-. (canceled)6. A method according to wherein the element is extruded from a melt extruder andwherein the polymer is maintained at a first temperature that exceeds the melting pint of the polymer at a feed screw of the extruder, and a second, higher temperature at an extrusion die of the extruder.7. (canceled)8. A method according to wherein the temperature is substantially 20 degrees above the melting point of the polymer.9. A method according to wherein the second temperature is substantially 30 degrees above the melting point of the polymer.10. A method according to wherein the region is drawn across one or more heated rolls prior to poling.11. A method according to wherein the region is heated to a temperature between the glass transition temperature and the melting temperature of the polymer.12. A method according to wherein the region is heated to ...

HIGH SURFACE AREA POLYMER ACTUATOR WITH GAS MITIGATING COMPONENTS

A polymer actuator component and a polymer actuator assembly, power supply and method of using the activation are described. 1. An actuator assembly comprising , an anode electrode and a cathode electrode , an electrolyte and a volume changing polymeric actuator in contact with the anode electrode or the cathode electrode , wherein the electrodes are separated from each other by a porous membrane that facilitates modulation of the pH via charges or ionic separation.2. An actuator assembly of further comprising a metal hydride material in contact with and covering a surface of one or more of the electrodes.3. The actuator assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a sealed flexible outer housing enclosing the electrolyte claim 2 , the anode electrode claim 2 , the cathode electrode claim 2 , and the volume changing polymeric actuator claim 2 , allowing sealed entrance or exit points for the electrodes claim 2 , wherein the volume changing polymeric actuator is configured to expand or contract in response to pH or chemical changes in the electrolyte induced by an electrical potential differential.4. The actuator assembly of claim 3 , characterized by one or more of the following features:(a) further comprising a second volume changing polymeric actuator, wherein the volume changing polymeric actuators are each adjacent to one of the electrodes and are separated from each other by the porous membrane; and wherein the volume changing polymeric actuators are configured to expand or contract simultaneously when the electric potential differential is applied;(b) wherein the volume changing polymeric actuator and the electrode in contact with the polymeric actuator are sealed inside a flexible container or bag made of the same material as the porous membrane; and wherein a portion of the electrode exiting the flexible container is continuously insulated from the electrolyte;wherein the flexible container or bag, or a portion of the flexible container or bag, preferably is ...

Solid Electrolyte, Intermediate of Solid Electrolyte, Secondary Battery Comprising the Same, and Method of Fabricating the Same

A solid electrolyte is provided. The solid electrolyte may comprise a compound in which cations including thiophenium and anions including fluorohydrogenate are bonded. 1. A solid electrolyte comprising a compound in which cations including one of thiophenium or thiazolium , and anions including fluorohydrogenate are bonded.2. The solid electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the cation is thiophenium claim 1 , the compound includes an alkyl group bonded with a sulfur element of the thiophenium claim 1 , and the alkyl group includes one of a methyl group claim 1 , an ethyl group claim 1 , a propyl group or a butyl group.3. The solid electrolyte of claim 2 , wherein the cation is thiophenium claim 2 , and the compound has an ion conductivity that decreases as a chain of the alkyl group becomes longer.4. The solid electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the cation is thiophenium claim 1 , and the compound includes a methyl group bonded with a sulfur element of the thiophenium claim 1 , and has a first crystal phase in a temperature range of 28 to 90° C. and a second crystal phase in a temperature range of 22 to 28° C. in a heat flow spectrum according to temperature by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).5. The solid electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the cation is thiophenium and the solid electrolyte further comprises lithium salt claim 1 , in which a unit cell of the compound has an orthorhombic crystal structure claim 1 , the cation is provided at a vertex and at a center of a face of the crystal structure claim 1 , the anion is provided in a middle of an edge of the crystal structure claim 1 , and the lithium salt is arbitrarily provided at interstitial sites of the crystal structure.6. The solid electrolyte of claim 5 , wherein an ion conductivity increases as a concentration of the lithium salt increases.7. The solid electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the cation is thiophenium claim 1 , a methyl group bonded with a sulfur element of the thiophenium is provided claim 1 , and ...

FRICTION CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD

A friction control device () is adapted to induce a lateral strain (or stretching) within a human tissue surface to which the device is applied, in order thereby to reduce the static friction between the device and the human tissue surface. The strain is induced by means of an actuator arrangement adapted to effect a relative separation of a plurality of contact surface regions () of the device, such that when said regions are pressed onto the receiving surface, the relative separation induces a strain in at least the region of the receiving surface falling between the locations of the applied regions. The extent of separation matches or exceeds the minimum extent necessary to overcome static friction. 1. A friction control device comprising: wherein the contact surface arrangement comprises a plurality of contact surface regions', 'wherein the plurality of contact surface regions are arranged to make contact with a receiving surface; and', 'an actuator assembly,', 'wherein the actuator assembly is arranged to control a separation of the plurality of contact surface regions in dependence upon an elasticity of the receiving surface and one or more surface properties of the receiving surface,', 'wherein the extent of separation matches or exceeds that which can be applied to the receiving surface via the plurality of contact surface regions without static frictional forces across an interface between the friction control device and the receiving surface being overcome., 'a contact surface arrangement,'}2. The friction control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly is arranged to control the separation of the plurality of contact surface regions in dependence upon the coefficient of static friction between the plurality of contact surface regions and the receiving surface claim 1 , and the modulus of elasticity of the receiving surface.3. The friction control device as claimed in claim 1 ,wherein the actuator assembly is arranged to control the ...

INTRAOCULAR LENS AND METHODS AND/OR COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH

An intraocular lens (IOL) has a clear optic and means for actuating change in curvature in at least a portion the clear optic. The intraocular lens (IOL) can have anterior and posterior portions spaced apart by a cavity, and an actuator for urging change in curvature in at least one of said portions, with energy provided by an energy harvesting mechanism incorporated into haptics of said IOL. 1. An intraocular lens (IOL) comprising a haptics for coupling to an optic body of the IOL , wherein the haptics comprising a motion sensor incorporated therein for detecting motion in at least a portion of the haptics , and wherein the motion is due to an accommodative response in an eye in which the IOL is configured to be placed.2. The IOL of and comprising a clear optic claim 1 , preferably comprising a polymer claim 1 , and an actuator for actuating change in curvature in at least a portion of the clear optic claim 1 , the IOL comprising in addition a substrate and the actuator is formed on an outer side of the substrate claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a pair of negative and positive electrodes and an electroactive material (EAM) being at least partially in contact with the electrodes claim 1 , and wherein change in curvature is formed by applying voltage between the electrodes.3. The IOL of claim 1 , wherein the haptics comprising a triboelectric generator claim 1 , possibly including an electret material claim 1 , for harvesting energy claim 1 , preferably forming and/or being part of the haptics claim 1 , wherein the generator preferably comprising a stator element possibly on an anterior side of the haptics claim 1 , preferably in the form of substrate material claim 1 , and a moving element possibly on a posterior side of the haptics claim 1 , preferably in the form of substrate material.4. The IOL of claim 3 , wherein the generator being configured to fit into and/or interact with the ciliary sulcus or capsular bag of an eye in which the IOL is to be placed. ...

Drive component of a micro-needle system and method for driving the same, micro-needle system and method for fabricating the same

The disclosure discloses a drive component of a micro-needle system, a method for driving the same, a micro-needle system and a method for fabricating the same; wherein the drive component includes a substrate with a groove; a bottom electrode in the groove; an electro-active polymer layer, covering the bottom electrode, in the groove; and an upper flexible electrode covering the electro-active polymer layer; wherein the upper flexible electrode and the bottom electrode are configured to generate a voltage, and the electro-active polymer layer is configured to generate a strain under the voltage.

Eap transducers with improved performance

The present invention provides electroactive polymer (“EAP”) transducers having improved properties. This improvement is achieved without decreasing film thickness, or by using high dielectric constant and high field, so that this approach does not adversely affect the reliability and physical properties of the resultant dielectric films. Mobile electrically active additives are added to the electrode formulation which significantly improve the performance of electroactive polymer transducers. Such additives do not need to be ionic. These electrically active additives can enable higher performance devices, smaller devices using less active area, lower voltage/power operation, and combinations of these enhancements.

ELECTROACTIVE ACTUATORS, SYSTEMS EQUIPPED THEREWITH, AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE

Actuators and methods utilizing electrical properties of polymer materials. The actuators have a multilayer structure that includes an electroactive polymer layer between and bonded to first and second electrodes so that the polymer layer has a thickness dimension therebetween. The multilayer structure is adapted so that application of an electric potential to the electrodes causes the electroactive polymer layer to expand in at least one dimension thereof transverse to the thickness dimension of the electroactive polymer layer. The actuators can be used in sealing elements to provide a resealing capability once a condition has occurred of a type that may precede a seal failure. 1. An actuator having a multilayer structure comprising:first and second electrodes formed of electrically-conductive polymer materials; andan electroactive polymer layer formed of a dielectric elastomer, the electroactive polymer layer being between and bonded to the first and second electrodes so as to have a thickness dimension therebetween;wherein the multilayer structure is adapted so that applying an electric potential to the first and second electrodes causes the electroactive polymer layer to expand in at least one dimension thereof transverse to the thickness dimension of the electroactive polymer layer.2. The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer layer is in a strain memory state induced by a pre-straining technique that expands the electroactive polymer layer and then releases the electroactive polymer layer to allow the electroactive polymer layer to substantially shrink to pre-strained dimensions thereof prior to bonding of the first and second electrodes thereto.3. The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the electroactive polymer layer is in a strain memory state induced by a chemical pre-straining technique that swells the dielectric material and then allows the electroactive polymer layer to substantially shrink to pre-swelled dimensions ...

DRIVE DEVICE, LENS MODULE, AND IMAGE PICKUP UNIT

There are provided a drive device and the like that are capable of suppressing characteristic degradation according to ambient environment. The drive device includes one or a plurality of polymer actuator devices each configured using an ion-exchange resin, and the ion-exchange resin contains operating ions that have activation energy equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold. Degradation in ion conductivity in the ion-exchange resin is suppressed even in environment with low humidity, high temperature, and the like. 1. A drive device comprising one or a plurality of polymer actuator devices each configured using an ion-exchange resin , whereinthe ion-exchange resin contains operating ions that have activation energy equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold.2. The drive device according to claim 1 , whereineach of the polymer actuator device includes a pair of electrode films and a polymer film interposed between the pair of electrode films, andthe ion-exchange resin is used in one or more of the pair of the electrode films and the polymer film.3. The drive device according to claim 2 , wherein the ion-exchange resin is used in all of the pair of the electrode films and the polymer film.4. The drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the activation energy of the operating ions is equal to or lower than 0.25 [eV].5. The drive device according to claim 4 , wherein the activation energy of the operating ions is equal to or lower than 0.20 [eV].6. The drive device according to claim 5 , wherein the activation energy of the operating ions is equal to or lower than 0.10 [eV].7. The drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the operating ion is hydrogen ion (H) or lithium ion (Li).8. The drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the activation energy is activation energy in a predetermined low-humidity environment.9. The drive device according to claim 8 , wherein the low-humidity environment is environment with relative humidity of 30%.10. The ...

ARTIFICIAL MUSCLE CAMERA LENS ACTUATOR

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. 1. A camera lens actuator , comprising:an imaging lens holder to which an imaging lens is secured;a base frame; andan electro-active polymer, EAP, structure having a generally frusto-conical shape and being secured at its base to the base frame and whose tip has an opening formed therein, the EAP structure being attached to the lens holder so that the opening in the tip is aligned with a face of the lens, the EAP structure having a first electrode portion attached to a face of an EAP layer and extending in a longitudinal direction along a side of the EAP structure and a second electrode portion isolated from the first electrode portion and attached to the face of the EAP layer along the tip, the second electrode portion having an opening that is aligned with the opening in the EAP structure.2. The camera lens actuator of in combination with separate driver circuits that are coupled to drive the first and second electrode portions claim 1 , wherein lens holder displacement is set primarily by the first driver circuit driving the first electrode portion claim 1 , and aperture size is set primarily by the second driver circuit driving the second electrode portion.3. The camera lens actuator of further comprising a complementary electrode attached to an opposite face of the EAP layer and extending from the base to the tip.4. The camera lens actuator of ...

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION MODULE, FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION MODULE, AND DISPLAY DEVICE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for manufacturing a fingerprint recognition method, a fingerprint recognition module, and a display device. The method for manufacturing the fingerprint recognition module includes: providing a backplane; forming a bonding terminal in a bonding area of the backplane; forming a sensing electrode in a fingerprint recognition area of the backplane; forming an insulation layer cladding the bonding terminal in the bonding area, and forming a piezoelectric material layer in the fingerprint recognition area, where an orthographic projection of the piezoelectric material layer on the backplane coincides with an orthographic projection of the sensing electrode on the backplane; performing polarization processing on the piezoelectric material layer; and peeling off the insulation layer. 1. A method for manufacturing a fingerprint recognition module , comprising:providing a backplane;forming a bonding terminal in a bonding area of the backplane;forming a sensing electrode in a fingerprint recognition area of the backplane;forming an insulation layer cladding the bonding terminal in the bonding area, and forming a piezoelectric material layer in the fingerprint recognition area, wherein an orthographic projection of the piezoelectric material layer on the backplane coincides with an orthographic projection of the sensing electrode on the backplane;performing polarization processing on the piezoelectric material layer; andpeeling off the insulation layer.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming the insulation layer cladding the binding terminal in the bonding area comprises:forming an organic insulation layer cladding the bonding terminal in a coating manner, wherein a gap exists between the organic insulation layer and the sensing electrode.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a material of the organic insulation layer is polyimide.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the peeling off the insulation layer comprises:peeling ...

Device and Method for Accelerating Orthodontic Treatment Using Mechanical Vibrations

A device for orthodontic treatment is disclosed. The device includes a first actuator configured to be attached to an orthodontic appliance and located proximate to a dentition. A second actuator is configured to be attached to the orthodontic appliance and located proximate to the dentition. A signal generator is in electrical communication with the first actuator and the second actuator. The signal generator is configured to provide a first drive signal to the first actuator and a second drive signal to the second actuator. In this way each actuator causes vibrational forces to be induced in the dentition. The actuators are configured such that the induced vibrational forces interfere with one another to cause an increased amplitude at a predetermined location in the dentition. 1. A device for orthodontic treatment , comprising:a first actuator configured to be attached to an orthodontic appliance and located proximate to a dentition;a second actuator configured to be attached to the orthodontic appliance and located proximate to the dentition; anda signal generator in electrical communication with the first actuator and the second actuator, wherein the signal generator is configured to provide a first drive signal to the first actuator and a second drive signal to the second actuator to cause vibrational forces to be induced in the dentition and the induced vibrational forces interfere with one another to cause an increased amplitude at a predetermined location in the dentition.2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are piezoelectric actuators.3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator comprise polyvinylidene fluoride.4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second actuators are formed within a common piezoelectric member.5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second actuators are electrically connected to the signal generator using rigid wires.6. The device of claim 1 , ...

ANISOTROPIC PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD

A micro electromechanical (mem) device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a shaped carbon nanotube with a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaped carbon nanotube is conductively connected to the first electrode and the second end is conductively connected to the second electrode. A system for making the device includes a plurality of electrodes placed outside the growth region of a furnace to produce a controlled, time-varying electric field. A controller for the system is connected to a power supply to deliver controlled voltages to the electrodes to produce the electric field. A mixture of gases is passed through the furnace with the temperature raised to cause chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon on a catalyst. The sequentially time-varying electric field parameterizes a growing nanotube into a predetermined shape. 1. A micro electromechanical (mem) device comprising:a first electrode;a second electrode; anda shaped carbon nanotube with a first end and a second end;wherein the first end is conductively connected to the first electrode and the second end is conductively connected to the second electrode.2. The mem device of further comprising:a power supply connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, the power supply configurable to deliver an electrical current through the first electrode, the shaped carbon nanotube and the second electrode over a range of voltage and frequency; anda controller connected to the power supply to configure and control the power supply;wherein the first electrode is rigidly attached to a first substrate and the second electrode is flexibly attached to a second substrate.3. The mem device of further comprising:a power supply connected to the first electrode and the second electrode;a controller connected to the power supply; anda sensor connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, the sensor being configured to detect an electrical current between the first electrode ...

STRETCH FRAME FOR STRETCHING PROCESS

An apparatus comprising a frame and a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to at least a portion of the frame, where the pressure sensitive adhesive is arranged to bond a pre-strained film to the frame is disclosed. A method of making the apparatus also is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a stretch frame for manufacturing electroactive polymer devices thereon. 1. An apparatus comprising:a frame; andan adhesive applied to at least a portion of the frame, wherein the adhesive is arranged to bond a pre-strained film to the frame.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a material selected from the group consisting essentially of silicones claim 1 , fluorosilicones claim 1 , acrylates claim 1 , polyurethanes claim 1 , olefins claim 1 , hydrocarbon rubbers claim 1 , styrenic copolymers claim 1 , epoxies claim 1 , hot-melt adhesives claim 1 , pressure sensitive adhesives claim 1 , thermal curing adhesives claim 1 , UV curing adhesives claim 1 , liquid adhesives claim 1 , and any combinations thereof.4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a release coating applied to at least a portion of the frame claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is applied on top of the release coating.5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the release coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting essentially of epoxy silicone claim 4 , fluoropolymer claim 4 , fluorosilicone claim 4 , polymer claim 4 , and polytetrafluoroethylene claim 4 , mold release claim 4 , and any combinations thereof.6. The apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising an adhesion promoter claim 4 , coupling agent claim 4 , solvent claim 4 , or etchant to improve the adhesion of release coating to the frame.7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the adhesion promoter comprises a silicone based primer.8. A method of fabricating a ...

LAYERED BODY

A layered body includes: a polymer film (A), the polymer film (A) including an organic piezoelectric material having a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000, having a standardized molecular orientation MORc at a reference thickness of 50 μm of from 1.0 to 15.0 as measured by a microwave transmission molecular orientation analyzer, having a degree of crystallinity of from 20% to 80% as measured by a DSC method, and having an internal haze of 50% or less with respect to visible light; and a peelable protective film (B) that contacts one main face of the polymer film (A). The maximum indentation depth hmax on a face of the protective film (B) that contacts the polymer film (A) is from 53 nm to 100 nm as measured by a nanoindentation method. 1. A layered body comprising:a polymer film (A), the polymer film (A) including an organic piezoelectric material having a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000, having a standardized molecular orientation MORc at a reference thickness of 50 μm of from 1.0 to 15.0 as measured by a microwave transmission molecular orientation analyzer, having a degree of crystallinity of from 20% to 80% as measured by a DSC method, and having an internal haze of 50% or less with respect to visible light; anda peelable protective film (B) that contacts one main face of the polymer film (A),wherein a maximum indentation depth hmax on a face of the protective film (B) that contacts the polymer film (A) is from 53 nm to 100 nm as measured by a nanoindentation method.2. The layered body according to claim 1 , wherein the maximum indentation depth hmax is from 53 nm to 60 nm.3. The layered body according to claim 1 , wherein the protective film (B) includes a base material layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that is disposed on a main face of the base material layer which faces the polymer film (A) claim 1 , and the maximum indentation depth hmax is a maximum indentation depth obtained by measurement on ...

CROSSLINKABLE COMPOSITIONS BASED ON ELECTROACTIVE FLUORINATED COPOLYMERS

The invention relates to crosslinkable compositions based on electroactive fluorinated copolymers, to crosslinked films obtained from such compositions and also to a process for preparing these films. The invention also relates to the use of said films as a dielectric layer in various (opto)electronic devices: piezoelectric, ferroelectric or pyroelectric devices. 1. Crosslinkable composition consisting of:a) at least one electroactive fluorinated copolymer,b) at least one (meth)acrylic monomer which is bifunctional or polyfunctional in terms of reactive double bonds,c) at least one radical polymerization initiator,d) at least one organic solvent, ande) at least one additive chosen from the list: (meth)acrylic monomers which are monofunctional in terms of reactive double bonds, agents which modify surface tension, rheology, ageing resistance, adhesion or colour, fillers and nanofillers.2. Composition according to claim 1 , in which said electroactive fluorinated copolymer is a copolymer of general formula P(VDF-TrFE) claim 1 , in which VDF represents units derived from vinylidene fluoride and TrFE represents units derived from trifluoroethylene claim 1 , the VDF:TrFE molar ratio in the polymer ranging from 50:50 to 85:15.3. Composition according to claim 1 , in which said electroactive fluorinated copolymer is a terpolymer of general formula P(VDF-TrFE-X) claim 1 , in which VDF represents units derived from vinylidene fluoride claim 1 , TrFE represents units derived from trifluoroethylene claim 1 , and X represents units derived from a third monomer bearing at least one fluorine atom.4. Composition according to claim 3 , in which the molar proportion of X units in the polymer is from 0.1% to 15%.5. Composition according to claim 1 , in which said (meth)acrylic monomer which is bifunctional or polyfunctional in terms of reactive double bonds is a monomer or an oligomer containing at least two reactive double bonds of (meth)acrylic type or a bifunctional or ...

FLEXIBLE SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH

The present invention discloses a flexible sensor detection system for medical care and health, including: an information collection module, which uses a wearable device as a carrier, where flexible sensors are respectively arranged on the wearable device; an information transmission module, configured to wirelessly transmit collected information to an information processing and feedback module; and the information processing and feedback module, configured to perform grading treatment on received data information and feed back a health condition corresponding to the data information to the information transmission module, where the information transmission module compares feedback health condition data with a preset health threshold to determine whether to give an alarm. A heart rate ECG band, a breathing band, a shell temperature band, a blood flow rate band, a blood glucose band, a blood oxygen band, and a deep temperature band of the present invention are provided with the built-in flexible sensors. 1. A flexible sensor detection system for medical care and health , comprising:an information collection module, using a wearable device as a carrier, wherein flexible sensors are respectively arranged on the wearable device, used for collecting a heart rate parameter, an electrocardiogram (ECG) parameter, a breathing parameter, a temperature parameter, a blood flow rate parameter, a blood glucose parameter, and a blood oxygen parameter in real time;an information transmission module, configured to wirelessly transmit collected information to an information processing and feedback module; andthe information processing and feedback module, configured to perform grading treatment on received data information and feed back a health condition corresponding to the data information to the information transmission module, wherein the information transmission module compares feedback health condition data with a preset health threshold to determine whether to give an alarm;a ...

PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE

A piezoelectric device includes a nanoimprinted film which is made from a ferroelectric polymer having a first conformation state and coated on a substrate. The ferroelectric polymer is heated at a temperature between a Curie point (Tc) and a melting point (Tm) of the ferroelectric polymer to cause a change in conformation of the ferroelectric polymer from the first conformation state to a second conformation state, and is then subjected to a nanoimprinting process at an imprinting temperature lower than Tc to cause a change in conformation of the ferroelectric polymer from the second conformation state to a third conformation state that is different from the first conformation state, thereby obtaining the nanoimprinted film. 1. A piezoelectric device made by the following steps of:(a) providing a coating material including a ferroelectric polymer;(b) applying said coating material onto a lower substrate unit to obtain a coated film in which said ferroelectric polymer has a first conformation state;(c) heating said coated film at a heating temperature between a Curie point (Tc) and a melting point (Tm) of said ferroelectric polymer to cause a change in conformation of said ferroelectric polymer from the first conformation state to a second conformation state; and(d) subjecting said heat-treated coated film to a nanoimprinting process at an imprinting temperature lower than Tc to cause a change in conformation of said ferroelectric polymer from the second conformation state to a third conformation state that is different from the first conformation state, thereby obtaining a nanoimprinted film.2. The piezoelectric device of claim 1 , wherein said ferroelectric polymer is poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene).3. The piezoelectric device of claim 2 , wherein the heating temperature is lower than Tm by not more than 15° C.4. The piezoelectric device of claim 3 , wherein said ferroelectric polymer in the second conformation state has a predominantly beta ...

PIEZOELECTRIC FILM AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SAME

A piezoelectric film which is better in heat and deformation resistant properties than those in the prior art is provided along with a method of manufacture. The film is a piezoelectric film that is composed of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene, the copolymer having a content of vinylidene fluoride in a range of not less than 82 mol % and not more than 86 mol % and having a molecular weight not less than 600,000. The piezoelectric film is subjected to a heat treatment for crystallization of the copolymer at a temperature ranging from not less than 140° C. to not more than 150° C., and is thereby caused to develop piezoelectric property. The piezoelectric film further has a heat resistance of not less than 140° C. and a breaking distortion of not less than 8% and not more than 55%, and an excellent deformation resistant property. 1. A piezoelectric film composed of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene , wherein: the copolymer has a content of vinylidene fluoride in a range of not less than 82 mol % and not more than 86 mol % and the copolymer has a molecular weight of not less than 600 ,000 (/mol).2. A piezoelectric film as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said piezoelectric film comprises a film of said copolymer which is coated on a substrate and dried thereon claim 1 , whereon said film dried is heat-treated at a temperature in a range of not less than 140° C. and not more than 150° C. for crystallization of the copolymer to develop a piezoelectric property thereof.3. A piezoelectric film as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said piezoelectric film has a heat resistance of not less than 140° C. and is good in deformation resistance claim 1 , having a breaking distortion of not less than 8% and not more than 55%.4. A method of making a piezoelectric film claim 1 , further comprising the steps of preparing a solution containing a solvent and a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene in which vinylidene fluoride is ...

MONITORING USING PIEZO-ELECTRIC CABLE SENSING

Sensing an environment by confining a monitored live subject in an enclosure, detecting an effect on a coaxial piezoelectric cable resulting from the monitored live subject, wherein the coaxial piezoelectric cable is located at least proximate to the enclosure, and deriving information about a state of the monitored live subject based on the detected effect. 122-. (canceled)23. A rack system , comprising:a cage defining an enclosure having a wall and a base;a coaxial piezoelectric cable configured to detect movement of a rodent within the cage; anda cable retainer defined on a first surface of the base, the cable retainer comprising one or more opposing support walls extending orthogonally from the first surface of the base, the one or more opposing support walls defining a cable retaining channel in a predefined planar shape adjacent to the first surface of the base, wherein the coaxial piezoelectric cable is frictionally fit within the cable retaining channel in physical contact with the first surface of the base.24. The rack system of claim 23 , wherein the first surface of the base is within the enclosure defined by the cage.25. The rack system of claim 24 , further comprising: a protective layer covering the coaxial piezoelectric cable configured to protect the coaxial piezoelectric cable from being in physical contact with the rodent.26. The rack system of claim 23 , wherein the predefined planar shape provides uniform sensing coverage over the first surface of the base.27. The rack system of claim 23 , further comprising: a rack structure configured to support the cage.28. The rack system of claim 27 , wherein the coaxial piezoelectric cable is positioned between a surface of the rack structure and an outside surface of the cage.29. The rack system of claim 23 , further comprising:a receiver circuit, in electrical communication with the coaxial piezoelectric cable, to receive a signal indicative of an effect on the coaxial piezoelectric cable resulting from ...

PIEZOELECTRIC SENSORS COMPRISING ELECTROSPUN POLY[(R)-3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE-CO-(R)-3-HYDROXYHEXANOATE] (PHBHX) NANOFIBERS

Disclosed herein is a device comprising a PHA based copolymer layer comprising at least one of an electrospun ribbon of fibers of a polyhydroxyalkanoate based copolymer or the polarized polymeric composition obtained by the process of claim wherein the layer is configured to exhibit one or more of a piezoelectric effect, a pyroelectric effect and a ferroelectric effect, wherein each of the electrospun ribbon of fibers and the polarized polymeric composition comprises a β-form of the PHA based copolymer present in an amount of from about 10% to about 99%, as measured by x-ray diffraction. The device can be configured for use as a sensor, a actuator, a nanomotor, or a biobattery. 1. A process for preparing a polarized polymeric composition comprising steps of:a) providing a layer of a polarizable polymeric composition, wherein the polarizable polymeric composition comprises a polyhydroxyalkanoate based copolymer;b) directionally perturbing the layer to induce polarization;c) optionally polarizing the polymeric composition of the directionally perturbed layer by applying a high electric field which is of less intensity than that which would cause substantial dielectric breakdown of the one or more polymers; and 'wherein the polarized polymeric composition comprises a β-form of the PHA based copolymer, present in an amount of from about 10% to about 99% as measured by x-ray diffraction.', 'd) optionally annealing the polarized polymeric composition of the layer at a temperature less than the melting temperature of the crystals of the polarized polymeric composition, whereby the polarization is retained up o the crystal melting point of the polar crystals of the polymeric composition,'}2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a layer comprises electrospinning a ribbon of fibers from a solution of the polyhydroxyalkanoate based copolymer in one or more solvents claim 1 , wherein the each fiber of the electrospun ribbon of fibers comprises a shell formed ...

ULTRASONIC TACTILE SENSOR FOR DETECTING CLAMPING FORCE

An ultrasonic tactile sensor for detecting a clamping force includes an ultrasonic detector and a sensing layer, and the sensing layer includes a first soft layer and a second soft layer, and the first soft layer has plural spherical microstructures arranged in contact with the ultrasonic detector, so that after a pressure is applied to the sensing layer, the ultrasonic detector generates an ultrasonic wave and receives a reflected wave signal, and the signal is provided for identifying the contact area of the spherical microstructures and deriving the force exerted on the tactile sensor. 1. An ultrasonic tactile sensor for detecting a clamping force , comprising:an ultrasonic detector, for detecting a sensing layer contact area to derive a force exerted on the tactile sensor, and further comprising:a piezoelectric film emitting layer (Tx), for exciting an ultrasonic shock wave;a piezoelectric film receiving layer (Rx), for sensing and reflecting a piezoelectric signal excited by the wave;a glass layer, bound between the piezoelectric film emitting layer and the piezoelectric film receiving layer, for capturing a signal of the piezoelectric film receiving layer; anda packaging layer, bound with the top of the piezoelectric film receiving layer; anda sensing layer, including a first soft layer and a second soft layer, and the first soft layer having a plurality of spherical microstructures arranged to be in contact with the packaging layer of the ultrasonic detector, and the second soft layer being bound between the packaging layer and the first soft layer, and the first soft layer having a hardness greater than the hardness of the second soft layer.2. The ultrasonic tactile sensor for detecting a clamping force according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric film emitting layer is made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).3. The ultrasonic tactile sensor for detecting a clamping force according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric film receiving layer is made of ...