Multicomponent fibers with a piezoelectric effect, including an electroactive fluoropolymer shell which adheres to a metal core. Also, a solvent-based fluoropolymer formulation which makes it possible to obtain optimum adhesion to a bare, electrically conductive metal filament. Also, a process for manufacturing these composite fibers, and also their uses in varied sectors of technical textiles, filtration and in electronics.

A piezoelectric artificial artery can be 3D printed to provide the real-time precise sensing of blood pressure and vessel motion patterns enabling early detection of partial occlusions. An electric-field assisted 3D printing method allows for rapid printing and simultaneously poled complex ferroelectric structures with high fidelity and good piezoelectric performance. The print material consists of ferroelectric potassium sodium niobite (KNN) particles embedded within a ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer matrix.

Described herein is an additive manufacturing apparatus that is well-suited for constructing piezoelectric sensors. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes an extrusion nozzle formed of a conductive material such as aluminum. The extrusion nozzle has a channel by way of which printing material exits the extrusion nozzle, wherein a build plate is configured to receive the printing material responsive to the printing material exiting the extrusion nozzle. An arc suppressor formed of a semiconductor is coupled to the extrusion nozzle and is configured to dissipate excess charge that would otherwise exist on the extrusion nozzle when a relatively high bias voltage is applied to the extrusion nozzle. Thus, the arc suppressor mitigates arcing between the extrusion nozzle and the build plate. Arc suppressing gas is also optionally introduced into a printing region, thereby further mitigating arcing between the extrusion nozzle and the build plate.

An active acoustic system includes a thin-film sheet having an array of piezoelectric microstructures embossed in the film. Each piezoelectric microstructure may act as a speaker and/or a microphone. A control circuit is configured to individually address the piezoelectric microstructures to provide a separate voltage signal to, or receive a separate voltage signal from, each piezoelectric microstructure.

An active acoustic system includes a thin-film sheet having an array of piezoelectric microstructures embossed in the film. Each piezoelectric microstructure may act as a speaker and/or a microphone. A control circuit is configured to individually address the piezoelectric microstructures to provide a separate voltage signal to, or receive a separate voltage signal from, each piezoelectric microstructure.

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing ultrasonic sensors. The method includes forming a micropattern having concave and convex portions on an etchable substrate, filling a piezoelectric material in the concave portions of the micropattern, pressurizing the filled piezoelectric material, sintering the piezoelectric material to form preliminary piezoelectric bodies, re-sintering the preliminary piezoelectric bodies to form densely packed unit piezoelectric bodies, and forming electrode terminals at both ends of each of the unit piezoelectric bodies to produce a unit piezoelectric cell. The method enables the manufacture of high-quality ultrasonic sensors in high yield.

A piezoelectric artificial artery can be 3D printed to provide the real-time precise sensing of blood pressure and vessel motion patterns enabling early detection of partial occlusions. An electric-field assisted 3D printing method allows for rapid printing and simultaneously poled complex ferroelectric structures with high fidelity and good piezoelectric performance. The print material consists of ferroelectric potassium sodium niobate (KNN) particles embedded within a ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer matrix.

A piezoelectric artificial artery can be 3D printed to provide the real-time precise sensing of blood pressure and vessel motion patterns enabling early detection of partial occlusions. An electric-field assisted 3D printing method allows for rapid printing and simultaneously poled complex ferroelectric structures with high fidelity and good piezoelectric performance. The print material consists of ferroelectric potassium sodium niobate (KNN) particles embedded within a ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer matrix.

In various embodiments, an electrode precursor material may be flowed into a manifold extrusion die having first and second manifold inlet openings. Further, an electroactive polymer precursor material may be flowed into the manifold extrusion die via a third manifold inlet opening such that the electroactive polymer precursor material is layered between alternating layers of the electrode precursor material from the first and second manifold inlet openings. Moreover, the electrode precursor material and the electroactive polymer precursor material may be extruded through a manifold outlet opening of the manifold extrusion die. Various other methods, systems, apparatuses, and materials are also disclosed.

A very small piezoelectric sensor capable of being mass produced includes a core, a piezoelectric layer on a surface of the core; and a conductive layer on a surface of the piezoelectric layer away from the core. The core is flexible and threadlike, the core is a first electrode of the piezoelectric sensor, and the conductive layer is a second electrode of the piezoelectric sensor. An array of such sensors allows the skin of a robot for example to simulate the sensitivity of hair-covered human skin. A method for making the piezoelectric sensor and an electronic device using the piezoelectric sensor are also disclosed.