Apparatus for generating spin waves comprising a body (102) of magnetic material and an elastic wave generator (120), wherein the body (102) has a surface (108) and the elastic wave generator (120) is arranged to transmit elastic waves so that they propagate through the body (102) towards the surface (108) and are reflected at the surface to form a standing elastic wave in the body (102), thereby generating spin waves.

An analysis system includes a reflective substrate; a hollow elongate structure with two ends; two polymer supports coupled to the ends and joined to the substrate; a piezoelectric device coupled to the substrate and designed to produce vibrations in the elongate structure; a laser for emitting a beam; a beam splitter; a photodetector; an amplification module; and a processor. The laser beam passes through the cavity and is absorbed by the photodetector, which generates a signal that is transmitted to the amplification module. The amplification module separates the signal into a modulated component and an unmodulated component. The signal is transmitted to the processor to obtain the resonance frequency and reflectance and to provide the piezoelectric device with an excitation signal at the resonance frequency.

The invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer (1) for transmitting and/or for receiving ultrasonic waves, comprising a backing layer (2), a matching layer (A) for impedance matching to the fluid (F), a piezoelectric element (4) arranged between the backing layer (2) and the matching layer (A), a first electrode (3a) between the support layer (2) and the piezo element (4) providing a first electrical contact (K1) of the piezo element (4), wherein the matching layer (A) is formed by a flexible printed circuit board (Lp) and the flexible printed circuit board (Lp) provides a second electrical contact (K2) of the piezo element (4).

A graded-index optical element may include a nanovoided material including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The nanovoided material may be transparent between the first surface and the second surface. Additionally, the nanovoided material may have a predefined change in effective refractive index in at least one axis due to a change in at least one of nanovoid size or nanovoid distribution along the at least one axis. Various other elements, devices, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

A laminated piezoelectric element has excellent suppression effect on characteristics deterioration caused by a pyroelectric effect. Inside an element main body are a first internal electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second internal electrode that has different polarity from the first internal electrode, which are repeatedly layered a plurality of times along the lamination direction. A first external electrode is formed on a first side surface of the element main body. A second external electrode is formed on a second side surface of the element main body. A resistance layer connected to the internal electrodes is formed in at least part of a third side surface of the element main body in which the internal electrodes are exposed. An insulating layer is formed on a third side of the element main body so as to cover the resistance layer.

Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems and devices that include a piezo-electric element comprising a top-side electrode and a bottom-side electrode; a metal contact pad electrically connected to the bottom-side electrode; an electrode electrically connected to the top-side electrode; and an encasement encasing the piezo-electric element. The piezo-electric element can be prepared to include steps and metallization for use in one or more types of packaging.

A nanovoided polymer-based material may include a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and an interfacial film disposed at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. The interfacial film may include one or more layers of material. A method of forming a nanovoided polymer-based material may include (1) forming a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and (2) forming an interfacial film at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. Various other methods, systems, and materials are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a metering system (1) for a metering substance, comprising a nozzle (40), a feed channel (44) for the metering substance, a discharge element (31), and a piezo actuator (61) which is coupled to the discharge element (31) and/or the nozzle (40). The piezo actuator (61) of the metering system (1) is hermetically encapsulated in a housing (62).

In some examples, a method includes forming a material layer on a substrate, partially polymerizing a component of the material layer, to form fluid-filled droplets within a partially polymerized matrix, deforming the material layer to form anisotropic fluid-filled droplets, and further polymerizing the partially polymerized matrix to form an anisotropic voided polymer, including anisotropic voids in a polymer matrix. The anisotropic voids may include anisotropic nanovoids. Example methods may further include depositing electrodes on the anisotropic voided polymer so that at least a portion of the anisotropic voided polymer is located between the electrodes. Examples may include forming electroactive elements including an anisotropic nanovoided polymer, and devices (such as sensors and/or actuators) including electroactive elements.

In some examples, a device includes a multilayer structure, a first electrode, and a second electrode, where the multilayer structure is located at least in part between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the multilayer structure includes a nanovoided polymer layer, and a solid layer. The solid layer may include a non-nanovoided layer. The nanovoided polymer layer may be an electroactive layer. The device may further include a control circuit configured to apply an electrical potential between the first electrode and the second electrode, which may induce a mechanical deformation of the multilayer.