A variable-capacitance capacitor having first and second electrodes mobile with respect to each other and third and fourth electrodes insulated from the first and second electrodes, capable of receiving a control signal to vary the relative position of the first and second electrodes in order to vary the capacitance between the first and second electrodes, the capacitor further including a system for controlling the position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode, the system being arranged so that, for at least one relative position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode, the position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode is independent from the voltage between the first and second electrodes.

A variable-capacitance capacitor having first and second electrodes mobile with respect to each other and third and fourth electrodes insulated from the first and second electrodes, capable of receiving a control signal to vary the relative position of the first and second electrodes in order to vary the capacitance between the first and second electrodes, the capacitor further including a system for controlling the position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode, the system being arranged so that, for at least one relative position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode, the position of the second electrode with respect to the first electrode is independent from the voltage between the first and second electrodes.

A flexible electrode is provided in which an increase in resistance change rate caused by repeated stretch is reduced. A sensor element is also provided, which uses the flexible electrode. A strain sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor are also provided, each using the sensor element. The flexible electrode can include an insulating flexible substrate and an electrode film laminated on the flexible substrate. The electrode film can include a fibrous carbon nanohorn aggregate.

A flexible electrode is provided in which an increase in resistance change rate caused by repeated stretch is reduced. A sensor element is also provided, which uses the flexible electrode. A strain sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor are also provided, each using the sensor element. The flexible electrode can include an insulating flexible substrate and an electrode film laminated on the flexible substrate. The electrode film can include a fibrous carbon nanohorn aggregate.

According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a base body, a first structure body, and a second structure body. The first structure body includes a first fixed portion, a first conductive portion, and first electrodes. The first fixed portion is fixed to the base body. The first conductive portion is held by the first fixed portion. The first conductive portion is separated from the base body in a first direction. The first electrodes are held by the first conductive portion. A distance between the base body and the first electrodes is changeable. The second structure body includes a second conductive portion and second electrodes. The second conductive portion is fixed to the base body. The second electrodes are held by the second conductive portion. One of the second electrodes is between the one of the first electrodes and the other one of the first electrodes.

According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a base body, a first structure body, and a second structure body. The first structure body includes a first fixed portion, a first conductive portion, and first electrodes. The first fixed portion is fixed to the base body. The first conductive portion is held by the first fixed portion. The first conductive portion is separated from the base body in a first direction. The first electrodes are held by the first conductive portion. A distance between the base body and the first electrodes is changeable. The second structure body includes a second conductive portion and second electrodes. The second conductive portion is fixed to the base body. The second electrodes are held by the second conductive portion. One of the second electrodes is between the one of the first electrodes and the other one of the first electrodes.

A new composition of matter, and more specifically a new compound, includes two or more highly resistive materials integrated into the chemistry of the grain boundary of an internal barrier layer capacitor material. This new compound includes a high permittivity and high resistivity dielectric compound. This new compound has high permittivity, high resistivity, and low leakage current. In certain examples the new compound can be used to create a dielectric energy storage device that is a battery with very high energy density, high operating voltage per cell, and an extended battery life cycle.

A new composition of matter, and more specifically a new compound, includes two or more highly resistive materials integrated into the chemistry of the grain boundary of an internal barrier layer capacitor material. This new compound includes a high permittivity and high resistivity dielectric compound. This new compound has high permittivity, high resistivity, and low leakage current. In certain examples the new compound can be used to create a dielectric energy storage device that is a battery with very high energy density, high operating voltage per cell, and an extended battery life cycle.

A pressure detection sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode layer including a channel portion configured to output a sensing signal and a wiring portion connected to the channel portion, a first elastic dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer disposed on the first elastic dielectric layer at a position corresponding to the channel portion, a second elastic dielectric layer disposed on the second electrode layer, and a third electrode layer disposed on the second elastic dielectric layer, wherein, when a pressure is applied to the third electrode layer, capacitances of the first elastic dielectric layer and the second elastic dielectric layer are changed.

A pressure detection sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode layer including a channel portion configured to output a sensing signal and a wiring portion connected to the channel portion, a first elastic dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer disposed on the first elastic dielectric layer at a position corresponding to the channel portion, a second elastic dielectric layer disposed on the second electrode layer, and a third electrode layer disposed on the second elastic dielectric layer, wherein, when a pressure is applied to the third electrode layer, capacitances of the first elastic dielectric layer and the second elastic dielectric layer are changed.