The present invention relates to a device for generating a dielectric barrier discharge for treatment of an object (1) to be activated with non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma, comprising a dielectric working chamber (2) which has a wall (3) of a dielectric material and which encloses a working space (4), wherein a metallization (6) is applied to an outer side (5) of the wall (3) facing away from the working space (4), wherein the working space (4) is an open volume, and a high-voltage source (9) which is configured to apply a high voltage to the metallization (6) or to the object (1) to be activated when the object (1) to be activated is in the working space (4). According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of treatment of an object (1) to be activated with a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma.

This control device is configured to control a converter comprising a piezoelectric element and several switches, and capable of delivering N output voltage(s) from of E input voltage(s), E≥1, N≥1.

The control device comprises a module for controlling, during a respective resonance cycle of the piezoelectric element, switching of the switches to alternate phases at substantially constant voltage and phases at a substantially constant charge at the terminals of the piezoelectric element, each cycle comprising first and second half-cycles, a current flowing in one direction in the piezoelectric element during first half-cycle and in an opposite direction during the second half-cycle.

The number of substantially constant voltage phases during a cycle is greater than or equal to E+N+2, and each of the half-cycles comprises at least two substantially constant voltage phases.

[Object] To provide a technology such as a piezoelectric coil having higher energy conversion efficiency.

[Solving Means] A piezoelectric coil according to the present technology includes a coil-like core material and a plurality of band-like piezoelectric materials. The plurality of piezoelectric materials is helically wound around the core material so as to be alternately arranged along the core material.

[Object] To provide a technology such as a piezoelectric coil having higher energy conversion efficiency.

[Solving Means] A piezoelectric coil according to the present technology includes a coil-like core material and a plurality of band-like piezoelectric materials. The plurality of piezoelectric materials is helically wound around the core material so as to be alternately arranged along the core material.

A method and apparatus for converting power comprising an input bridge having an input adapted for coupling to a DC source, a piezoelectric transformer having an input coupled to an output of the input bridge, and an output bridge having an input coupled to an output of the piezoelectric transformer and an output adapted to couple to a load. A trajectory controller, coupled to the input bridge and output bridge, (1) measures current and voltage in the input bridge, the output bridge or both, (2) measures a current into or out of the piezoelectric transformer, (3) determines switch timing for control signals for the input bridge and output bridge based upon the measured current and/or voltage, and (4) applies the control signals to the input bridge and output bridge.

A method and apparatus for converting power comprising an input bridge having an input adapted for coupling to a DC source, a piezoelectric transformer having an input coupled to an output of the input bridge, and an output bridge having an input coupled to an output of the piezoelectric transformer and an output adapted to couple to a load. A trajectory controller, coupled to the input bridge and output bridge, (1) measures current and voltage in the input bridge, the output bridge or both, (2) measures a current into or out of the piezoelectric transformer, (3) determines switch timing for control signals for the input bridge and output bridge based upon the measured current and/or voltage, and (4) applies the control signals to the input bridge and output bridge.

The present description concerns a clock signal generation device (902) comprising: a microelectromechanical resonant element (504); and at least one nanoelectromechanical transduction element (512).

An actuator device has an electroactive polymer actuator (35) and an integrated piezoelectric transformer (30) whose primary side (32) and secondary side (34) are formed from different electroactive polymer materials. At least the secondary side (34) of the transformer shares a piezoelectric electroactive polymer layer (36) with the electroactive polymer actuator, so that lower external voltages can be applied to the device.

An optoelectronic or electronic device structure, including an active region on or above a polar substrate, wherein the active region comprises a polar p region. The device structure further includes a hole supply region on or above the active region. Holes in the hole supply region are driven by a field into the active region, the field arising at least in part due to a piezoelectric and/or spontaneous polarization field generated by a composition and grading of the active region.

A piezoelectric transformer comprises at least a laminate of a first member, a first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element and a second member sequentially stacked one on the other in the above-listed order and a pressurizing mechanism for squeezing the first member and the second member together in the stacking direction. The ratio of the electromechanical coupling coefficient k.sub.33 relative to the electromechanical coupling coefficient k.sub.31 (k.sub.33/k.sub.31) of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element is not less than 2.0.