An apparatus comprising: at least one input configured to provide at least one input signal; a mode determiner configured to determine at least one mode of condition based on the at least one input signal; a controller configured to control the reproduction of at least one audio signal based on the at least one mode of condition; and at least one actuator configured to reproduce the at least one audio signal within the apparatus by vibration of a surface.

Disclosed embodiments include illustrative piezoelectric element array assemblies, methods of fabricating a piezoelectric element array assembly, and systems and methods for shearing cellular material. Given by way of non-limiting example, an illustrative piezoelectric element array assembly includes at least one piezoelectric element configured to produce ultrasound energy responsive to amplified driving pulses. A lens layer is bonded to the at least one piezoelectric element. The lens layer has a plurality of lenses formed therein that are configured to focus ultrasound energy created by single ones of the at least one piezoelectric element into a plurality of wells of a microplate disposable in ultrasonic communication with the lens layer, wherein more than one of the plurality of lenses overlie single ones of the at least one piezoelectric element.

A device for detecting contact with and/or an approach toward a motor vehicle. The device includes a vibration generator, including a first electromechanical transducer configured to be mounted on an external element of the motor vehicle, and an electrical signal generator that delivers, to the first electromechanical transducer, an electrical signal oscillating at an excitation frequency; a rechargeable energy storage device, for supplying power to the electrical signal generator; and a vibration sensor, consisting of a second electromechanical transducer configured to be mounted on the external element of the motor vehicle. An output of the vibration sensor is connected to the rechargeable energy storage device, such that at least part of the electrical response signal recharges the rechargeable energy storage device.

An apparatus for processing articles with acoustic energy and a method of constructing a transducer that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of constructing a device for generating acoustic energy comprising: providing a layer of supporting material; positioning a piezoelectric material atop the layer of adhesive material; cutting the piezoelectric material into a plurality of pillars so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; and filling the spaces with a resilient material to form a composite assembly.

In order to reduce crosstalk between analog and digital signals, a circuit device includes a vibrator element, a semiconductor device, and a package. In the semiconductor device, an analog pad is provided along a first side facing in a first direction when the semiconductor device is seen in plan view. In addition, a digital pad is provided along aside facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, that is, a second side facing the first side. In the package, an analog terminal which is connected to the analog pad is provided on a first side of the package facing in the first direction. In addition, a digital terminal which is connected to the digital pad is provided on a second side of the package facing in the second direction.

Microelectromechanical (MEMS) devices and associated methods are disclosed. Piezoelectric MEMS transducers (PMUTs) suitable for integration with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit (IC), as well as PMUT arrays having high fill factor for fingerprint sensing, are described.

A system (1) for generating hydrogen gas comprises a reaction vessel (101) containing an aqueous solution (102) and a cathode (105) and an anode (107) each positioned at least partly in the reaction vessel (101). The system (1) comprises first and second ultrasonic transducers (215-220) which emit ultrasonic waves in the direction of the cathode (105) and the anode (107) respectively. Each ultrasonic transducer (215-220) is driven by a respective transducer driver (202) to optimise the operation of the system (1) for generating hydrogen gas by sonoelectrolysis.

Vibrotactile plush devices are disclosed. A vibrotactile plush device can include at least one transducer configured to generate a plurality of vibrations, at least one control unit configured to receive an input signal from a communication protocol and to transmit a first output signal to the at least one transducer, and a power source. The device can include a vibrotactile material configured to transmit the plurality of vibrations at one or more restorative or therapeutic frequencies to a body of a user. A padding material can be configured to dampen the plurality of vibrations. In some embodiments, the vibrotactile plush device can also be a weighted device and further comprise a heating pad. In some embodiments, the plurality of vibrations can simulate the purring of a cat, and a cover can be configured to possess a cat shape.

A sensor system for attachment to a casing includes at least one sensor element, where the sensor element is configured for detecting an environment property of an environment which, with the sensor system attached to the casing, is situated on the opposite side of the casing with respect to the sensor system. The sensor system also includes an encapsulation layer, where the sensor element is embedded in the encapsulation layer, and where the encapsulation layer has a contact surface for attaching the sensor system to the casing.

The present invention provides a vibration audio system for transmitting an audio signal outputted from a sound source to a listener in the form of vibration while reducing output level of the signal and power consumption. The system includes an envelope detection unit (204) for detecting an envelope signal of the audio signal outputted from a sound source, a vibration transmission member for allowing the listener to perceive vibration of a low-frequency sound outputted from a low-frequency output speaker that outputs audio signals, and a frequency conversion unit (205) for generating an audio signal frequency-converted on the basis of resonant frequencies by multiplying the envelope signal by sine waves having the same frequencies as resonance frequencies obtained from an impulse response of the low-frequency output speaker disposed in the vibration transmission member. The audio signal frequency-converted by the frequency conversion unit (205) is outputted from the low-frequency output speaker.