To reduce the construction effort and also to make it smaller, the detector coil (6) is formed in the detector head (7) of a magnetostrictive position sensor (100) in a semiconductor chip (2), in which at the same time also the evaluation circuit (16) is formed and—if biased electrically and by means of direct current—also the then necessary separate bias coil (18).

A method of fabricating a shape-changeable magnetic member comprising a plurality of segments with each segment being able to be magnetized with a desired magnitude and orientation of magnetization, to a method of producing a shape changeable magnetic member composed of a plurality of segments and to a shape changeable magnetic member.

The disclosure describes new apparatus, systems and methods utilizing magnetoelectric neural stimulators with tunable amplitude and waveform. Specific embodiments of the present disclosure include a magnetoelectric film, a magnetic field generator and an electrical circuit coupled to the magnetoelectric film, in particular embodiments, the electrical circuit comprises components configured modify an electrical output signal produced by the magnetoelectric film. In certain embodiments, the electrical circuit is configured to modify the electric signal to charge a charge storage element, to transmit data to an implantable wireless neural stimulator, and to provide a stimulation output to electrodes.

A gap compensated stress sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a sensor head in communication with a controller. The sensor head can contain a stress sensor configured to generate a stress signal representing stress applied to a target based upon measurement of generated magnetic fluxes passing through the target. The system can also include a drive circuit configured to provide a current for generation of the magnetic fluxes, and to measure signals characterizing a gap between the sensor head and the target. The controller can analyze these signals to determine a gap-dependent reference signal that is relatively insensitive to electrical runout. The controller can further adjust the stress signal based upon the gap-dependent reference signal to determine an improved stress signal that has reduced sensitivity to gap changes.

Magnetoelectric devices based on piezoelectric/magnetostrictive bilayers are provided. Also provided are methods of using the devices to modulate or to sense the magnetization of the magnetostrictive material. The devices include an island of magnetostrictive material that is strain-coupled to a thin layer of a piezoelectric material at an interface. A bottom electrode is placed in electrical communication with one surface of the piezoelectric film, and an unpaired top electrode is placed in electrical communication with a second, opposing surface of the piezoelectric film.

A system may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element having a longitudinal axis that extends from a first end of the MSM element to a second end of the MSM element. The system may further include a rotatable permanent magnet configured to rotate around an axis of rotation and positioned proximate to the MSM element. The system may also include a first solenoid having a first solenoid axis directed at the rotatable permanent magnet. The system may include a second solenoid having a second solenoid axis directed at the rotatable permanent magnet. A method may include applying a first alternating current (AC) signal to the first solenoid and a second AC signal to the second solenoid to cause the rotatable permanent magnet to rotate.

Disclosed herein is a device for measuring mechanical stress. The device comprises a magnetostrictive body enclosing a remanent magnetization. The magnetostrictive body comprises first and second end surfaces that are arranged opposite to each other. At least one of the first and second end surfaces is configured to receive a mechanical stress. The magnetostrictive body further comprises a first recess formed at the first end surface towards the second end surface and a second recess formed at the second end surface towards the first end surface. In a projection perpendicular to the first end surface, the first recess overlaps the second recess and extends beyond the second recess. Further disclosed are a method of manufacturing such a device and a method of measuring mechanical stress using such a device.

A magnetostrictive alternator configured to convert pressure waves into electrical energy is provided. It should be appreciated that the magnetostrictive alternator may be combined in some embodiments with a Stirling engine to produce electrical power. The Stirling engine creates the oscillating pressure wave and the magnetostrictive alternator converts the pressure wave into electricity. In some embodiments, the magnetostrictive alternator may include aerogel material and magnetostrictive material. The aerogel material may be configured to convert a higher amplitude pressure wave into a lower amplitude pressure wave. The magnetostrictive material may be configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field when the magnetostrictive material is compressed by the lower amplitude pressure wave.

A first torque detection part and a second torque detection part are stacked so that a first energizing circuit and a third energizing circuit as well as a second energizing circuit and a fourth energizing circuit are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to a symmetry plane orthogonal to an axial center direction of an object to be detected, and a plurality of magnetic paths are respectively formed between teeth having inclinations of ±45 degrees in the first torque detection part and the second torque detection part.

An actuator device has at least one actuator element which at least in part is composed of a magnetically shape-shiftable material, and has a magnet unit which comprises at least one first magnetic element that is implemented as a coil unit and at least one second magnetic element that is implemented as a permanent magnet, at least the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are configured for interacting in at least one operating state so as to cause a local deformation of the actuator element in a partial region of the actuator element.