A nano-composite structure comprises of an amorphous matrix with embedded nano-crystallites. The nano-crystallites are precipitated from the amorphous matrix via heat treatment of a solution mixture of metal salts or metalorganic compounds to an appropriate temperature range and with a suitable duration, or heating of a mixture of non-crystalline compounds. The nano-crystallites are self-assembled in the amorphous matrix without forming agglomerates or distinguished grain boundaries. The nano-composite structure can be used for transparent display, transparent optical ceramics, protection armor, nuclear protection, pulsed power, high voltage electronics, high energy storage system and high power microwave systems.

A piezoelectric/electrostrictive material is composed of Mn and a compound of Pb(Zn, Nb)O.sub.3Pb(Ni, Nb)O.sub.3Pb(Zr, Ti)O.sub.3. A ratio of a molar amount of Mn relative to a sum of respective molar amounts of Ni, Zn, Ti, Zr, Nb and Mn is at least 0.001 to no more than 0.015. A ratio of a molar amount of Nb relative to a sum of respective molar amounts of Ni and Zn is at least 2.007 to no more than 2.125.

A piezoelectric/electrostrictive material is composed of Mn and a compound of Pb(Zn, Nb)O.sub.3Pb(Ni, Nb)O.sub.3Pb(Zr, Ti)O.sub.3. A ratio of a molar amount of Mn relative to a sum of respective molar amounts of Ni, Zn, Ti, Zr, Nb and Mn is at least 0.001 to no more than 0.015. A ratio of a molar amount of Nb relative to a sum of respective molar amounts of Ni and Zn is at least 2.007 to no more than 2.125.

A two-dimensional perovskite material, a dielectric material including the same, and a multi-layered capacitor. The two-dimensional perovskite material includes a layered metal oxide including a first layer having a positive charge and a second layer having a negative charge which are laminated, a monolayer nanosheet exfoliated from the layered metal oxide, a nanosheet laminate of a plurality of the monolayer nanosheets, or a combination thereof, wherein the two-dimensional perovskite material a first phase having a two-dimensional crystal structure is included in an amount of greater than or equal to about 80 volume %, based on 100 volume % of the two-dimensional perovskite material, and the two-dimensional perovskite material is represented by Chemical Formula 1.

A dielectric material, a method of manufacturing thereof, and a dielectric device and an electronic device including the same. A dielectric material includes a layered metal oxide including a first layer having a positive charge and a second layer having a negative charge which are laminated, a monolayer nanosheet exfoliated from the layered metal oxide, a nanosheet laminate of the monolayer nanosheets, or a combination thereof, wherein the dielectric material includes a two-dimensional layered material having a two-dimensional crystal structure and the two-dimensional layered material is represented by Chemical Formula 1.

A dielectric material, a method of manufacturing thereof, and a dielectric device and an electronic device including the same. A dielectric material includes a layered metal oxide including a first layer having a positive charge and a second layer having a negative charge which are laminated, a monolayer nanosheet exfoliated from the layered metal oxide, a nanosheet laminate of the monolayer nanosheets, or a combination thereof, wherein the dielectric material includes a two-dimensional layered material having a two-dimensional crystal structure and the two-dimensional layered material is represented by Chemical Formula 1.

A piezoelectric ceramic base body that has a polyhedral shape having shape anisotropy, such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and which has opposed faces on which external electrodes are formed. The opposed faces have first sides and second sides. Between the first side and the second side of one of the opposed faces, a width dimension of the surface in a direction orthogonal to the first side and the second side is larger than a length dimension of each of the first and the second sides. The crystal axis is {100} oriented in a direction parallel to the first and the second sides, and a degree of orientation by a Lotgering method is 0.4 or more.

A piezoelectric ceramic base body that has a polyhedral shape having shape anisotropy, such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and which has opposed faces on which external electrodes are formed. The opposed faces have first sides and second sides. Between the first side and the second side of one of the opposed faces, a width dimension of the surface in a direction orthogonal to the first side and the second side is larger than a length dimension of each of the first and the second sides. The crystal axis is {100} oriented in a direction parallel to the first and the second sides, and a degree of orientation by a Lotgering method is 0.4 or more.

A functional ink that includes a precursor sol-gel solution and a solvent is provided. The precursor sol-gel solution is used for forming an oxide dielectric film having a perovskite structure represented by a general formula ABO.sub.3, and has been subjected to a partial hydrolysis process in which a viscosity change resulting from the partial hydrolysis process is controlled to be less than or equal to 50%, and water contained in the precursor sol-gel solution is controlled to be greater than or equal to 0.50 times and less than or equal to 10 times by molar ratio with respect to a B site atom contained in the precursor sol-gel solution. The functional ink has a metal oxide concentration and a viscosity that renders the functional ink suitable for being discharged from a nozzle of a liquid droplet discharge apparatus included in a thin film fabrication apparatus.

A functional ink that includes a precursor sol-gel solution and a solvent is provided. The precursor sol-gel solution is used for forming an oxide dielectric film having a perovskite structure represented by a general formula ABO.sub.3, and has been subjected to a partial hydrolysis process in which a viscosity change resulting from the partial hydrolysis process is controlled to be less than or equal to 50%, and water contained in the precursor sol-gel solution is controlled to be greater than or equal to 0.50 times and less than or equal to 10 times by molar ratio with respect to a B site atom contained in the precursor sol-gel solution. The functional ink has a metal oxide concentration and a viscosity that renders the functional ink suitable for being discharged from a nozzle of a liquid droplet discharge apparatus included in a thin film fabrication apparatus.