Piezoelectric Device Inkjet Deposition and Poling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing piezoelectric devices are expensive and wasteful, lacking efficient techniques for forming these devices using printing methods like ink-jet printing or screening.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a coating material with a precursor that is applied via ink-jet printer or screening, subjected to heat and voltage to form piezoelectric crystals, oriented by voltage, and then electrodes are applied to create a piezoelectric device, which can be used as a transducer or actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional methods are used to produce piezoelectric devices, then manufacturing precision and reliability are maintained, but production cost increases and material waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical manufacturing methods (cutting, shaping, assembling) with a printing-based deposition process. The piezoelectric precursor material is deposited directly onto the substrate in the desired pattern through inkjet printing or similar techniques, eliminating the need for mechanical material removal and reducing waste significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in material parameters (temperature, voltage) to transform the deposited precursor material into functional piezoelectric material. By controlling the heating process and applying electric fields during and after deposition, the material undergoes phase transitions and crystallization to achieve the desired piezoelectric properties directly in the printed structure.
2Productivity
If printing techniques are used to apply coating material, then productivity and ease of manufacture improve, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary electric field during the deposition and drying process to guide the orientation of piezoelectric crystals as they form. By establishing the electric field before complete crystallization occurs, the crystals grow with the desired orientation built-in, eliminating the need for subsequent precise mechanical alignment or post-processing orientation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs controlled changes in temperature and electric field parameters during and after deposition to ensure precise crystal orientation. The heating process is carefully controlled to facilitate crystal growth, and electric fields are applied at specific temperature ranges to pole the crystals in the desired direction, achieving high precision despite the printing method's inherent variability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the cost-effective and efficient production of piezoelectric devices that can be used in sensors, actuators, and imaging arrays, with the ability to be applied directly to substrates, including curved surfaces, reducing material waste and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The precursor material may be heated to above its Curie temperature, but below its melting temperature
Implementation Method 2
a voltage may be applied across the precursor material. In this manner, crystals may be formed from the precursor material and those crystals may be oriented ('poled') by the applied voltage
Implementation Method 3
The coating material can be applied over a first electrode, and allowed to dry on the first electrode in order to leave the precursor material on the first electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming a piezoelectric device is disclosed. In one such method, a coating material is formed. The coating material has a piezoelectric precursor. The coating material is applied to a first electrode. The precursor is heated to a temperature that is above the Curie temperature of the precursor, but below the melting temperature of the precursor. While the precursor is above its Curie temperature, a voltage is applied across the precursor. While the voltage is applied across the precursor, the temperature of the precursor is reduced to below the Curie temperature.