The present disclosure describes a strained dielectric material comprising at least one type of component containing a domain wall variant pattern, or superdomain structure, that is in phase-co-existence with, or in close phase proximity to, a paraelectric state achieved at zero electric field or over a finite range of non-zero electric field, wherein the at least one type of component comprises one or more of an in-plane sub-domain polarization component, a plane-normal sub-domain polarization component, or a solid solution of a ferroelectric.

Provided are a flexible variable capacitor and method for preparation thereof. The flexible variable capacitor includes two highly conductive flexible electrode layers and an elastomer dielectric insulation layer disposed between the two highly conductive flexible electrode layers, wherein the highly conductive flexible electrode layers include first polymeric elastomer and carbon nanomaterial, and the elastomer dielectric insulation layer includes second polymeric elastomer and functional ceramic nanoparticles. The method for preparation of the flexible variable capacitor is as follows: first, preparing an elastomer composite film with different functions, and then pressing upper and lower electrode layers with the intermediate elastomer insulation layer together to obtain a stretchable strip-shaped plate capacitor. Different from existing technologies, the present application uses independently developed highly conductive flexible electrodes to replace traditional silver oil electrodes, which greatly reduces the cost of variable capacitor devices, and enhances the integration and operability. The prepared flexible variable capacitor has characteristics such as high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, simple preparation process, and capacitance being sensitive to deformation.

A device may include a flexible substrate. The device may further include a flexible integrated circuit within the flexible substrate, the integrated circuit having at least one input electrode positioned on a surface of the flexible substrate. The device may also include an aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer disposed on the surface of the flexible substrate, the aerosol-jet printed conductive ink layer having a pattern that includes a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers, the aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer in contact with the at least one input electrode.

A flexible passive capacitance pressure sensor includes a first polymeric substrate and a second polymeric substrate. An elastic dielectric sensing material is positioned between the inner-facing surface of the first polymeric substrate and the inner-facing surface of the second polymeric substrate. A first plurality of wires are positioned on the outer-facing surface of said first polymeric substrate, and a second plurality of wires positioned on the outer-facing surface of said second polymeric substrate. The plurality of wires form a flexible capacitor. With the reduced profile enabled by such a capacitor, the flexible passive capacitance pressure sensor can have a thickness of less than 200 microns.

A device may include a flexible substrate. The device may further include a flexible integrated circuit within the flexible substrate, the integrated circuit having at least one input electrode positioned on a surface of the flexible substrate. The device may also include an aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer disposed on the surface of the flexible substrate, the aerosol-jet printed conductive ink layer having a pattern that includes a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers, the aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer in contact with the at least one input electrode.

A multilayer electronic component includes an element body having internal electrode layers and dielectric layers. These are substantially parallel to a plane including a first axis and a second axis and are alternately laminated along a third axis direction. Side surfaces oppositely facing in the first axis direction are respectively equipped with an insulating layer. End surfaces facing each other in the second axis direction are respectively equipped with an external electrode. End portions in the first axis direction of the internal electrode layers are recessed from end portions in the first axis direction of the dielectric layers to an inner side along the first axis direction. The retraction distances are varied at a predetermined range in each layer of the internal electrode layers.

A multilayer electronic component includes an element body having internal electrode layers and dielectric layers. These are substantially parallel to a plane including a first axis and a second axis and are alternately laminated along a third axis direction. Side surfaces oppositely facing in the first axis direction are respectively equipped with an insulating layer. End surfaces facing each other in the second axis direction are respectively equipped with an external electrode. End portions in the first axis direction of the internal electrode layers are recessed from end portions in the first axis direction of the dielectric layers to an inner side along the first axis direction. The retraction distances are varied at a predetermined range in each layer of the internal electrode layers.

A soft sensor which may be used in robotic grasping applications includes a composite material being reversibly deformable and comprising an elastomer material containing dispersed conductive filler material, wherein the quantity of filler material in the elastomer material is configured to provide a negative change in permittivity of the composite layer upon the composite layer being subjected to a force.

Provided are a flexible variable capacitor and method for preparation thereof. The flexible variable capacitor includes two highly conductive flexible electrode layers and an elastomer dielectric insulation layer disposed between the two highly conductive flexible electrode layers, wherein the highly conductive flexible electrode layers include first polymeric elastomer and carbon nanomaterial, and the elastomer dielectric insulation layer includes second polymeric elastomer and functional ceramic nanoparticles. The method for preparation of the flexible variable capacitor is as follows: first, preparing an elastomer composite film with different functions, and then pressing upper and lower electrode layers with the intermediate elastomer insulation layer together to obtain a stretchable strip-shaped plate capacitor. Different from existing technologies, the present application uses independently developed highly conductive flexible electrodes to replace traditional silver oil electrodes, which greatly reduces the cost of variable capacitor devices, and enhances the integration and operability. The prepared flexible variable capacitor has characteristics such as high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, simple preparation process, and capacitance being sensitive to deformation.