The present invention relates to the dielectric composition including barium titanate, strontium titanate, titanium oxide and bismuth oxide. In case when the content of barium titanate, converted to BaTiO.sub.3, is a mol %, the content of strontium titanate, converted to SrTiO.sub.3, is b mol %, the content of titanium oxide and bismuth oxide, converted to Bi.sub.2Ti.sub.3O.sub.9, is c mol %, and a+b+c=100, a, b and c are values within a scope surrounded by the following four points, i.e. point A, point B, point C and point D in a three-dimensional phase diagram. Point A: (a, b, c)=(52.1, 40.0, 7.9); point B: (a, b, c)=(86.5, 5.6, 7.9); point C: (a, b, c)=(91.0, 5.6, 3.4); point D: (a, b, c)=(56.6, 40.0, 3.4).

The present invention relates to the dielectric composition including barium titanate, strontium titanate, titanium oxide and bismuth oxide. In case when the content of barium titanate, converted to BaTiO.sub.3, is a mol %, the content of strontium titanate, converted to SrTiO.sub.3, is b mol %, the content of titanium oxide and bismuth oxide, converted to Bi.sub.2Ti.sub.3O.sub.9, is c mol %, and a+b+c=100, a, b and c are values within a scope surrounded by the following four points, i.e. point A, point B, point C and point D in a three-dimensional phase diagram. Point A: (a, b, c)=(52.1, 40.0, 7.9); point B: (a, b, c)=(86.5, 5.6, 7.9); point C: (a, b, c)=(91.0, 5.6, 3.4); point D: (a, b, c)=(56.6, 40.0, 3.4).

A piezoelectric thin-film element includes a first electrode layer, a piezoelectric thin film stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the piezoelectric thin film. A performance index P of the piezoelectric thin film is defined as (d.sub.33,f).sup.2?Y/?. d.sub.33,f is a piezoelectric strain constant of thickness longitudinal vibration of the piezoelectric thin film. Y is a Young's modulus of the piezoelectric thin film. ? is a permittivity of the piezoelectric thin film. The performance index P is from 10% to 80.1%.

A piezoelectric thin-film element includes a first electrode layer, a piezoelectric thin film stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the piezoelectric thin film. A performance index P of the piezoelectric thin film is defined as (d.sub.33,f).sup.2?Y/?. d.sub.33,f is a piezoelectric strain constant of thickness longitudinal vibration of the piezoelectric thin film. Y is a Young's modulus of the piezoelectric thin film. ? is a permittivity of the piezoelectric thin film. The performance index P is from 10% to 80.1%.

An apparatus for a lead-free piezoelectric ink-jet printhead is disclosed. Piezoelectric printheads, while more expensive are favored because they use a wider variety of inks. The piezoelectric printhead includes a diaphragm, a plurality of piezoelectric actuators comprising a lead-free piezoelectric material, at least one nozzle, at least one ink chamber, a top electrode, and a drive circuit. The deflection of the diaphragm on the body chamber contributes to a pressure pulse that is used to eject a drop of liquid from the nozzle. According to an exemplary embodiment, a lead-free piezoelectric printhead operated at smaller thicknesses and significantly higher electric fields is disclosed, along with methods of making such printheads.

An apparatus for a lead-free piezoelectric ink-jet printhead is disclosed. Piezoelectric printheads, while more expensive are favored because they use a wider variety of inks. The piezoelectric printhead includes a diaphragm, a plurality of piezoelectric actuators comprising a lead-free piezoelectric material, at least one nozzle, at least one ink chamber, a top electrode, and a drive circuit. The deflection of the diaphragm on the body chamber contributes to a pressure pulse that is used to eject a drop of liquid from the nozzle. According to an exemplary embodiment, a lead-free piezoelectric printhead operated at smaller thicknesses and significantly higher electric fields is disclosed, along with methods of making such printheads.

The invention relates to a method for producing ceramics having piezoelectric properties in predominantly aqueous suspending agents.

The invention relates to a method for producing ceramics having piezoelectric properties in predominantly aqueous suspending agents.

An apparatus for a lead-free piezoelectric ink-jet printhead is disclosed. Piezoelectric printheads, while more expensive are favored because they use a wider variety of inks. The piezoelectric printhead includes a diaphragm, a plurality of piezoelectric actuators comprising a lead-free piezoelectric material, at least one nozzle, at least one ink chamber, a top electrode, and a drive circuit. The deflection of the diaphragm on the body chamber contributes to a pressure pulse that is used to eject a drop of liquid from the nozzle. According to an exemplary embodiment, a lead-free piezoelectric printhead operated at smaller thicknesses and significantly higher electric fields is disclosed, along with methods of making such printheads.

The present invention relates to a ceramic comprising (or consisting essentially of) a solid solution containing Bi, K, Ti and Fe (and optionally Pb) which exhibits piezoelectric behaviour.