Systems, devices, and methods for micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) tunable capacitors can include a fixed actuation electrode attached to a substrate, a fixed capacitive electrode attached to the substrate, and a movable component positioned above the substrate and movable with respect to the fixed actuation electrode and the fixed capacitive electrode. The movable component can include a movable actuation electrode positioned above the fixed actuation electrode and a movable capacitive electrode positioned above the fixed capacitive electrode. At least a portion of the movable capacitive electrode can be spaced apart from the fixed capacitive electrode by a first gap, and the movable actuation electrode can be spaced apart from the fixed actuation electrode by a second gap that is larger than the first gap.

An improved multilayered ceramic capacitor is provided wherein the capacitor has improved heat dissipation properties. The capacitor comprises first internal electrodes and second internal electrodes wherein the first internal electrodes are parallel with, and of opposite polarity, to the second internal electrodes. Dielectric layers are between the first internal electrodes and second internal electrodes and a thermal dissipation channel is in at least one dielectric layer. A thermal transfer medium is in the thermal dissipation channel.

In one embodiment, an RF impedance matching network utilizing at least one electronically variable capacitors (EVC) is disclosed. Each EVC includes discrete capacitors operably coupled in parallel, the discrete capacitors including fine capacitors and coarse capacitors. A control circuit determines a parameter related to the plasma chamber and, based on the parameter, determines which of the coarse capacitors and which of the fine capacitors to have switched in to cause an impedance match. The increase of the variable total capacitance of each EVC is achieved by switching in more of the coarse capacitors or more of the fine capacitors than are already switched in without switching out a coarse capacitor that is already switched in.

In one embodiment, an RF impedance matching network utilizing at least one electronically variable capacitors (EVC) is disclosed. Each EVC includes discrete capacitors operably coupled in parallel, the discrete capacitors including fine capacitors and coarse capacitors. A control circuit determines a parameter related to the plasma chamber and, based on the parameter, determines which of the coarse capacitors and which of the fine capacitors to have switched in to cause an impedance match. The increase of the variable total capacitance of each EVC is achieved by switching in more of the coarse capacitors or more of the fine capacitors than are already switched in without switching out a coarse capacitor that is already switched in.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a selection is made for a first major constituent, a second major constituent and a minor constituent for forming a desired material. The method can include mixing the first major constituent, the second major constituent and the minor constituent in a single mixing step to provide a mixture of constituents. The method can include drying the mixture of constituents to provide a dried mixture of constituents and calcining the dried mixture of constituents to provide a calcinated mixture of constituents. The method can include processing the calcinated mixture of constituents (by a process including vacuum annealing and hot-pressing) to provide a sputtering target. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Devices and methods for improving voltage handling and/or bi-directionality of stacks of elements when connected between terminals are described. Such devices and method include use of symmetrical compensation capacitances, symmetrical series capacitors, or symmetrical sizing of the elements of the stack.

Devices and methods for improving voltage handling and/or bi-directionality of stacks of elements when connected between terminals are described. Such devices and method include use of symmetrical compensation capacitances, symmetrical series capacitors, or symmetrical sizing of the elements of the stack.

A method for manufacturing an electronic component including a step of providing an outer electrode that includes a step of providing a sintered layer containing a sintered metal, a step of providing an insulation layer containing an electric insulation material, and a step of providing a Sn-containing layer containing Sn. The sintered layer extends from each of end surfaces of an element assembly onto at least one main surface thereof. The insulation layer is directly provided on the sintered layer at each of the end surfaces so as to extend in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a side surface of the element assembly, and defines a portion of a surface of the outer electrode. The Sn-containing layer covers the sintered layer except for a portion of the sintered layer that is covered by the insulation layer, and constitutes another portion of the surface of the outer electrode.

Provided are an excreta detection device that is for a diaper and capable of detecting excreta present in the diaper, and an excreta detection reader for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the excreta detection device for the diaper and notifying a user about whether excreta is present. Since the large scale of a resonant frequency is determined on the basis of a capacitor which is isolated from the excreta and not affected by the excreta and the small scale of the resonant frequency that changes due to the excreta may be determined on the basis of a capacitor having a permittivity that changes due to the excreta, the excreta may be detected even when a relatively narrow frequency band is swept. In addition, since excreta sensing is not performed at only a specific resonant frequency but is also performed by comparing resonant frequencies before and after discharge of excreta, the excreta sensing can be performed regardless of the state of the excreta.

Provided are an excreta detection device that is for a diaper and capable of detecting excreta present in the diaper, and an excreta detection reader for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the excreta detection device for the diaper and notifying a user about whether excreta is present. Since the large scale of a resonant frequency is determined on the basis of a capacitor which is isolated from the excreta and not affected by the excreta and the small scale of the resonant frequency that changes due to the excreta may be determined on the basis of a capacitor having a permittivity that changes due to the excreta, the excreta may be detected even when a relatively narrow frequency band is swept. In addition, since excreta sensing is not performed at only a specific resonant frequency but is also performed by comparing resonant frequencies before and after discharge of excreta, the excreta sensing can be performed regardless of the state of the excreta.