This study proposes an optimization strategy for the over-current protection (OCP) parameters of a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄, LFP) battery system used in electric golf carts operating under high motor-load conditions. Real-world hillclimbing tests were conducted under four clearly defined payload/passenger conditions to analyze the transient discharge-current pro-file, voltage sag, and cell-temperature response. The maximum discharge current reached -238.2 A under the 200 kg cargopayload and one-passenger condition, and the current interval exceeding 150 A lasted up to 27 s. The maximum instantaneous power was 11.05 kW. Thermal analysis showed that the cell-temperature rise was within 2°C and the maximum measured cell temperature was 22.3°C. Linear regression of voltage and current yielded R² = 0.9368 and dV/dI = 0.0126 Ω, which was used as the DC internalresistance estimate. Based on these quantitative results and the cell specification limit of 300 A continuous discharge, the OCP threshold was reviewed from 250 A to 280 A to improve driving continuity while remaining below the allowable continuous-discharge current. EIS-based SOH estimation and the AI-BMS variable protection logic are presented as an extension framework for reflecting temperature and aging effects in future OCP-setting decisions.

Lead-free bismuth sodium titanate (BNT)-based ceramics have attracted strong attention as environmentally benign dielectric materials for high-efficiency electrostatic energy-storage capacitors. A key challenge is that pristine BNT typically exhibits large hysteresis, high remnant polarization, and limited dielectric reliability, which restrict recoverable energy storage and efficiency under practical electric fields. Here, we present a focused mini-review of recent studies to clarify how composition design, phase boundary tuning, defect chemistry, and microstructural control collectively enable slim or pinched polarization-electric field (P-E) behavior and improved energy-storage functionality in BNT-related bulk ceramics. The reviewed outcomes consistently show that stabilizing relaxor states governed by polar nanoregions (PNRs), often via solid-solution engineering and secondary relaxor/antiferroelectric-like incorporation, suppresses irreversible switching and reduces hysteresis loss, while densification and grain-size control enhance electrical homogeneity and breakdown strength. In addition, defect-mediated tuning of oxygen vacancy-related complexes is highlighted as an independent lever to control relaxor ergodicity and polarization reversibility, providing a complementary route to slim-loop optimization. These insights are expected to guide integrated design strategies that couple phase/relaxor-state engineering with defect and microstructure optimization, accelerating the development of reliable, temperature-robust, lead-free dielectric capacitors based on BNT-related ceramics.

This review introduces Corning’s Ribbon Ceramic process and the broader idea of ribbon ceramics―continuous, ultra-thin ceramic sheets made by tape or slot-die casting and fast, continuous sintering―covering key materials such as Al₂O₃, YSZ/ScSZ, PZT, LLZO, and LCO. Motivated by the need for scalable, energy-efficient ceramic components for electrification (green-hydrogen SOECs), next-generation Li-metal batteries, and compact piezo devices, we summarize capabilities and use cases using only publicly available information. Our main contribution is a clear platform view: continuous roll-to-roll conveyance with minutes-scale firing produces fully dense, fine-grained, high-purity ceramics at ~10-100 μm thickness with smooth native surfaces and controlled shapes, delivered as long rolls (up to ~300 ft), panels (~100 mm wide), or narrow strips (~0.5 mm). Illustrative results include 20-40 μm 3YSZ electrolytes for SOECs (high oxygen-ion conductance, ~1 GPa bend strength), LLZO garnet separators that cycle at 25℃ with interlayers, and free-standing LCO cathode ribbons tunable from dense to ~30% porous. For piezo acoustics, 60-80 μm PZT sheets (d33 ~300 pC/N) enable fine metallization and on-screen speakers, while fast firing reduces volatile loss and yields smaller grains. Together, these advances point to high-volume, lower-footprint manufacturing and faster adoption of novel ceramic membranes and substrates in SOEC/green-hydrogen systems, solid-state or hybrid lithium batteries, RF/power electronics, and piezo applications.

Bismuth layer-structured ferroelectrics with high Curie temperatures have recently attracted significant attention as promising candidates for high-temperature piezoelectric applications. However, the conventional solid-state reaction method entails high-temperature processing that induces bismuth volatilization, thereby degrading device reliability. In this study, we employed a co-precipitation method enabling atomic-level mixing to significantly lower the synthesis temperature of Nb/Tadoped Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ ceramics compared to the solid-state reaction method. Experimental results demonstrated that the coprecipitation method yielded a pure single phase at 600℃ without intermediate phases. Furthermore, the synthesized nanopowders, with an average size of 100 nm, lowered the onset temperature of sintering shrinkage to 650℃, approximately 200℃ lower than that of the solid-state counterpart. The low-temperature synthesis process proposed in this work is expected to contribute to the performance enhancement of high-temperature piezoelectric devices by effectively suppressing bismuth volatilization and ensuring compositional stability.

The increasing global demand for renewable energy has accelerated the deployment of offshore wind farms, thereby highlighting the need for advanced development and performance assessment techniques for dynamic submarine cables used in floating offshore wind systems. These cables are continuously subjected to combined thermal, electrical, and mechanical stresses, with mechanical loading playing a particularly dominant role. As a result, dynamic submarine cables exhibit degradation behaviors that differ significantly from those of conventional fixed submarine cables. This paper presents the design and implementation of a comprehensive evaluation system capable of applying combined thermal, electrical, and mechanical stresses to dynamic submarine cables. The system was validated using a 66 kV wet type submarine cable through commissioning tests and insulation performance measurements. Electrical stress of 72 kV, thermal stress exceeding 95°C, and mechanical stress corresponding to a bending radius of 20 times the cable diameter over 20 cycles were applied to verify system reliability. The subsequent insulation assessments quantitatively confirmed performance variations induced by the combined stresses. The results demonstrate that the proposed platform is the first system capable of simultaneously applying thermal, electrical, and mechanical stresses to dynamic submarine cables, and its operational performance has been successfully validated. This platform enables realistic reliability evaluation of dynamic cables used in floating offshore wind farms and is expected to improve the overall operational reliability of offshore wind power systems.

The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) servers and high-performance computing systems has significantly elevated the technical and reliability requirements for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). In such systems, MLCCs are critical passive components that must deliver high capacitance, fast transient response, and robust insulation performance under high temperature, voltage, and current density. This review examines the material, structural, and process innovations that underpin MLCC performance in AI applications. Key topics include the development of ultrathin dielectric layers (<0.5 μm), rare-earth doped BaTiO₃-based dielectrics with enhanced DC bias stability, and core-shell microstructures designed for temperature and field resilience. The paper also explores insulation degradation mechanisms―such as vacancydriven conduction and demixing―and advanced reliability assessment methodologies, including HALT, TSDC, and the tipping point framework. Comparisons with automotive-grade MLCCs highlight the unique requirements of AI systems, such as ultraminiaturization, high volumetric efficiency, and ppm-level field failure rates. Finally, the review discusses emerging trends in MLCC technology, including particle engineering, interface stabilization, and advanced lamination techniques, and provides insight into the future direction of capacitor development tailored to AI data center environments.

The growing demand for thinner, lighter, and more energy-efficient electronic systems has driven the development of acoustic technologies toward compact and flexible sound generation platforms. Despite significant progress, conventional electromagnetic speakers remain limited by bulky structures, energy losses, and poor compatibility with modern ultrathin devices. In this review, recent advancements in piezoelectric acoustic systems are presented, demonstrating a new generation of speakers capable of producing high-fidelity sound from ultra-slim, lightweight, and mechanically compliant designs. Through refined structural configurations and efficient electromechanical coupling, these piezoelectric exciters achieve strong acoustic output, fast response, and wide frequency operation while drastically reducing component thickness. These exciters also show their suitability for seamless integration into flexible displays, wearable devices, and automotive panels, offering enhanced spatial audio practicality and multifunctional operation, including demonstrative output and sensing. This advancement marks a step toward the convergence of acoustic, haptic, and interactive technologies, for the realization of sustainable and immersive humanmachine interfaces in future electronic and automotive systems.

Ceramic thin plates are widely utilized in various advanced technologies, such as fuel cells and heat dissipation substrates, due to their high mechanical strength and thermal conductivity. However, the trend of thinning ceramic plates increases warpage, which can critically affect product quality and reliability. Therefore, understanding and accurately measuring this warpage has become increasingly important. In this study, a non-contact measurement method, the light sectioning technique, was applied to measure the warpage of thin ceramic plates with a half-cell (anode/electrolyte) structure for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) by varying their area and thickness. The relationship between the physical properties of the thin plates and the warpage was analyzed. Additionally, a comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate warpage errors caused by compressive loads during the traditional contact measurement process. Finally, to verify the reliability of the non-contact measurement method, four types of non-contact measurement techniques - light sectioning technique, laser displacement measurement, optical confocal technique, and white-light interferometry technique - were used to compare warpage data by orientation. The results were also compared with those from contact measurement methods to analyze the average warpage values. Through this, the superiority and high reliability of the non-contact measurement method were demonstrated.

Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are essential for high-capacitance, miniaturized, and reliable electronic applications. This study examines the impact of layer stacking on the dielectric and electrical properties of MLCCs using a BaTiO₃-based dielectric with MgO, Mn₃O₄, Yb₂O₃, V₂O₅, and (BaCa)SiO₃ glass additives. MLCCs with 10 um-thick dielectric layers and varying Ni electrode layers (10, 30, 50, and 100 layers) were fabricated. The dielectric constant increases significantly up to 30 layers due to compressive stress and sintering densification but it becomes linear beyond 30 layers. Dissipation factor and ESR decrease with higher stacking due to improved sinterability, while breakdown voltage declines exponentially from defect accumulation and thermal stress. Insulation resistance decreases but stabilizes relative to capacitance. C-V results show stress-induced polarization suppression, which reduces the dielectric constant under high voltage. Optimized stacking and sintering conditions are crucial for MIL-PRF-32535 compliant MLCC designs.

This study developed a dielectric composition for high-capacitance MLCCs with C0G and U2J temperature compensation characteristics (Class I) under reducing conditions. The potential application of this composition in highpermittivity class I MLCCs was examined. Using (Ba₀.₂₄Ca₀.₁₆Sr₀.₆)(TiₓZr₁₋ₓ)O₃. XRD analysis showed that secondary phases like Sr₂TiO₄ and TiO₂ formed at higher Ti content, affecting the stoichiometric balance. Adjusting the Ti/Zr molar ratio resulted in a dielectric constant of 41.2 ~ 105, a dielectric loss of 0.082 ~ 0.174%, and insulation resistance above 1.6 × 10¹³ ohms at 25℃. The TCC shifted from C0G to U2J as the Ti/Zr ratio increased, but the composition enabled the design of high-capacitance and high-voltage MLCCs with favorable dielectric and electrical properties.

Ceramic powder is an important material used for various purposes in advanced industries, and the fundamental properties of ceramic powder such as particle size, particle size distribution, and flow properties play a decisive role in determining the quality and performance of the final product. In general, these properties have been evaluated through particle size and shape analysis. However, these methods have limitations in providing a comprehensive understanding phenomena related to powder flow, coagulation, and wear. Consequently, performance evaluation based on the analysis of powder flow properties has been increasingly adopted. Previously, flow properties were primarily assessed using funnel-based methods. However, these methods have limitations, as they are challenging to apply to powders smaller than a few micrometers or those with strong coagulation tendencies, and they also suffer from low reliability. To address these issues, this paper introduces a novel piece of equipment that measures flow properties using image analysis and presents various parameters for static and dynamic flow behavior based on this technique. The proposed equipment offers exceptional versatility, as it can be applied to all types of ceramic powders regardless of their size or shape. The principles and measurement methods of the equipment are demonstrated through static and dynamic image analysis of ceramic powders with varying sizes and shapes used as examples.

This study examined the crystallinity and potential of BaTiO₃ powder, prepared by hydrothermal synthesis at 60 nm, as a dielectric material for automotive MLCCs under varying heat treatment temperatures. At temperatures above 850℃, the powder exhibited an orthorhombic structure, with crystallinity and particle size increasing as the temperature rose. In the range of 850~900℃, the powder displayed a uniform particle size distribution and minimal agglomeration, with particles ranging between 150~200 nm. Additionally, it was confirmed that the heat treatment temperature significantly impacts the properties of BaTiO₃ powder, which are critical for the dielectric performance required in X7R MLCCs used in automotive applications. Specifically, high-temperature treatment (above 850℃) was essential for enhancing the powder's crystallinity and forming a stable core-shell structure, which is crucial for achieving stable TCC (Temperature Coefficient of Capacitance) characteristics. It was confirmed that increased crystallinity at temperatures above 850℃ facilitated the development of the core-shell structure through interactions with additives, thereby achieving the necessary characteristics required for highly reliable automotive MLCCs.

This review addresses the development trends of dielectric ceramics, the key material for Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs), which are essential components in high-performance electronic devices. Traditional MLCCs have employed BaTiO₃ (BT)-based dielectrics to achieve high dielectric constant and low resistance. By minimizing oxygen vacancies and suppressing grain growth in BT materials, the temperature and voltage stability of MLCCs have been improved, leading to the development of MLCCs with diverse properties. However, the maximum dielectric constant of approximately 3000 in BT materials poses a limitation in overcoming the trade-off between rated voltage and capacitance density. Therefore, ultra-high permittivity dielectric materials have gained attention to meet the requirements of ultra-high-performance MLCCs, and ongoing research focuses on enhancing the temperature and frequency stability of these materials. This review analyzes the characteristics and limitations of conventional BT materials and explores recent research trends and future potential in developing new MLCCs based on ultra-high dielectric constant materials.

Recently, as environmental issues caused by gas stoves have led to the widespread adoption of induction appliances, specialized cookware for induction is essential. However, due to the inability of ceramic containers to be directly used on induction cooktops, a conductive coating is required on the bottom of the cookware, presenting limitations such as complex deposition processes and extended coating times in existing methods including thermal spraying, dip coating, and transcription method. We confirmed the potential of heat-resistant cookware for induction use by coating the bottom of the ceramic container with Ag through a simple manufacturing process of screen-printing and measuring its thermal conductivity and reliability. The Ag-coated ceramic cookware produced by screen-printing demonstrated similar thermal conductivity and reliability to those made using the traditional method of transfer printing. In addition, the adhesive strength before and after thermal shock testing was even superior in the screen-printing method, which suggests a higher expected lifespan. As a result, it is expected that induction-compatible heat-resistant ceramic containers with excellent performance and lifespan will be manufactured through the screen-printing process, which is more cost-effective and efficient compared to other methods.

In this study, the electrical properties of a C0G (class 1 ceramic) dielectric composition with internal reducibility, specifically (Ba_0.27CaSr)(Zr_0.95Ti_0.05)O₃, were investigated by fixing Ba at the A site and varying the Ca/Sr molar ratio. The potential application of this composition in high-permittivity C0G MLCCs was examined. The powder was calcined at 1,150℃ for 2 hours, as determined by TG-DTA analysis, and the resulting powder was ground to achieve a particle size (D50) of 0.35 to 0.4 μm and a specific surface area (BET) of 4.5 to 5.0 g/m². With a Ca/Sr molar ratio of 0.3, the composition (Ba0.27Ca0.17Sr0.56) (Zr0.95Ti0.05)O₃ exhibited electrical properties with a permittivity of 41.9, a loss of less than 0.008%, and an insulation resistance exceeding 2.2×10¹³ Ω. The feasibility of using this composition for high-capacitance C0G MLCCs was confirmed.

The expansion of lithium-ion battery usage beyond portable electronic devices to electric vehicles and energy storage systems is driven by their high energy density and favorable cycle characteristics. Enhancing the stability and performance of these batteries involves exploring solid electrolytes as alternatives to liquid ones. While sulfide-based solid electrolytes have received significant attention for commercialization, research on amorphous-phase glass solid electrolytes in oxide-based systems remains limited. Here, we investigate the glass transition temperatures and sintering behaviors by changing the molecular ratio of Li₂O/B₂O₃ in borate glass comprising Li₂O-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃ system. The glass transition temperature is decreasing as increasing the amount of Li₂O. When we sintered at 450℃, just above the glass transition temperature, the samples did not consolidate well, while the proper sintered samples could be obtained under the higher temperature. We successfully obtained the borate glass ceramics phases by melt-quenching method, and the sintering characteristics are investigated. Future studies could explore optimizing ion conductivity through refining processing conditions, adjusting the glass former-to-modifier ratio, and incorporating additional Li salt to enhance the ionic conductivity.

Recently, active research has been conducted to enhance the power characteristics and thermal stability of lithiumion batteries (LiBs) by modifying separators using a ceramic coating method. However, since the thermal properties and surface features of the separator vary depending on the characteristics of the ceramic powders applied to the separator, it is crucial to manufacture ceramic powders optimized for the separator’s performance. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics of three types of α-alumina (A-1, A-2, and A-3) produced with varying dispersant contents and milling times, in addition to commercial α-alumina (AES-11). Subsequently, the optimized powders (A-3) were coated onto the separator using an aqueous binder for comparison with the characteristics of an AES-11 coated separator and an uncoated PE separator. The A-3 coated separator improved electrolyte wettability with a low contact angle (44.69°) and increased puncture strength (538 gf). Furthermore, it exhibited excellent thermal stability, with a shrinkage value of 5.64% when exposed to 140℃ for 1 hour, compared to the AES- 11 coated separator (6.09%) and the bare PE separator (69.64%).

This study investigated crystal structures, microstructures, and electric-field-induced strain (EFIS) properties of Bibased lead-free ferroelectric/relaxor composites. Bi_1/2(Na_0.82K_0.18)_1/2TiO₃ (BNKT) as a ferroelectric material and 0.78Bi_1/2(Na_0.78K_0.22)_1/2TiO₃-0.02LaFeO₃ (BNKT2LF) as a relaxor material were synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction method, and the resulting BNKT2LF powders were subjected to high-energy ball milling (HEBM) after calcination. As a result, HEBM proved a larger average grain size of sintered samples compared to conventional ball milling (CBM). In addition, the increased sintering time led to grain growth. Furthermore, HEBM treatment and sintering time demonstrated a significant effect on EFIS of BNKT/BNKT2LF composites. At 6 kV/mm, 0.35% of the maximum strain (S_max) was observed in the HEBM sample sintered for 12 h. The unipolar strain curves of CBM samples were almost linear, indicating almost no phase transitions, while HEBM samples displayed phase transitions at 5~6 kV/mm for all sintering time levels, showing the highest S_max/E_max value of 700 pm/V. These results indicated that HEBM treatment with a long sintering time might significantly enhance the electromechanical strain properties of BNT-based ceramics.

In this paper, we compared and analyzed the power load patterns of dormitory buildings and office buildings to use them as basic data (demand analysis and capacity design) for the design and operation of microgrids for multi-use facilities, and the following conclusions were got. During the daytime on regular weekdays, the power consumption load pattern of office buildings was relatively large at 264.0~332.3 kWh, and during the evening hours, the power consumption load pattern of dormitory buildings was relatively large at 233.0~258.3 kWh. In the case of vacation, during the daytime on weekdays, the power consumption load pattern of office buildings was relatively large at 279.1~407.4 kWh, and in the evening, the power consumption load pattern of dormitory buildings was relatively high at 280.1~394.1 kWh. During the daytime on regular weekends, the power consumption of dormitory-type buildings was relatively high at 133.5~201.6 kWh, and it was found that the power consumption of dormitory-type buildings appeared relatively high at 187.5~252.1 kWh. During a vacation in the daytime on weekends, the power consumption of dormitory-type buildings was found to be 186.5 kWh~ and 218.6 kWh. The increase in power consumption during a vacation (December-February) compared to normal (April-June) was thought to be due to an increase in electricity demand, and the reason for the higher power consumption in dormitory buildings during the vacation was due to reduced working hours in office buildings.

Multilayered actuators using Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-Pb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃-PbTiO₃ (PMN-PIN-PT) crystals have demonstrated excellent properties, but are costly and lack mechanical strength. Textured PMN-PIN-PT ceramics exhibit robust mechanical strength and comparable properties to their single crystals form. However, the development of multilayered actuators using textured PMN-PIN-PT ceramics has not been achieved until now. This study presents the development of a multilayered actuator using textured 0.37PMN-0.29PIN-0.34PT ceramics with an Ag0.9/Pd0.1 inner electrode, co-fired at 950℃. A random 0.37PMN- 0.29PIN-0.34PT ceramics multilayered actuator was also developed for comparison. The multilayered actuator consisted of 9 ceramic layers (36 μm thickness) with an overall actuator thickness of 0.401 mm. The textured and random 0.37PMN-0.29PIN- 0.34PT ceramics-based multilayered actuators achieved displacements of 0.61 μm (0.15% strain) and 0.23 μm (0.057% strain) at a low applied peak voltage of 100 V. These results suggest that the developed multilayered actuator using high-performance textured 0.37PMN-0.29PIN-0.34PT ceramics has the potential to replace expensive single crystal-based actuators costeffectively.

La_0.7-xCe_xSr_0.3MnO₃ specimens were fabricated by a solid state reaction method and structural and electrical properties with variation of Ce4+ contents were measured. All specimens exhibited a polycrystalline rhombohedral crystal structure, and the (110) peaks were shifted to low angle side with increasing the amount of Ce⁴⁺ contents. As Ce⁴⁺ ions with different ion radii and charges are substituted with La³⁺ ions, electrical properties are thought to be affected by changes in the double exchange interaction between Mn³⁺-Mn⁴⁺ ions due to distortion of the unit lattice, a decrease in oxygen vacancy concentration, and an increase in lattice defects. Resistivity gradually decrease as the amount of Ce⁴⁺ added increased, and negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) properties were shown in all specimens. In the La_0.5Ce_0.2Sr_0.3MnO₃ specimens, electrical resistivity, TCR and B-value were 31.8 Ω-cm, 0.55%/℃ and 605 K, respectively.

Piezoelectric actuators, which utilize piezoelectric crystals or ceramics, are commonly used in precision positioning applications, offering high-speed response and precise control. However, the use of low-performance ceramics and expensive single crystals is limiting their versatile use in the actuator market, necessitating the development of both high-performance and cost-effective piezoelectric materials capable of delivering higher forces and displacements. The use of textured Pb (lead)-based piezoelectric ceramics formed by so-called templated grain growth method has been identified as a promising strategy to address the performance and cost issue. This review article provides insights into recent advances in texturing Pb-based piezoelectric ceramics for improved performance in actuation applications. We discussed the relevant issues in detail focusing on current challenges and emerging trends in the textured piezoelectric ceramics for their reliability and performance in actuator applications. We discussed in detail focusing on current challenges and emerging trends of textured piezoelectric ceramics for their reliability and performance in actuator applications. In conclusion, the article provides an outlook on the future direction of textured piezoelectric ceramics in actuator applications, highlighting the potential for further success in this field.

Calcium fluoride (CaF₂) single crystal is applied to numerous industrial applications, especially for optical uses. To have excellent optical transmission properties, however, CaF₂ crystals should be carefully fabricated through liquid-phase crystal growth techniques. In this study, as one of the early stage research activities to grow CaF₂ crystals with a good transmittance at the ultraviolet wavelength range, computational thermodynamic models were provided to deepen the understanding of the crystal growing processes of CaF₂ under various conditions. To remove point defects and oxygen impurities in the grown CaF₂ crystals, the system was thermodynamically evaluated to get optimal process conditions. From the reviews of previous experimental studies, computational thermodynamic approaches were found to be an effective and powerful tool to understand the meaning of the crystal growth processes and to obtain optimal process conditions.

Recently, piezoelectric devices, such as ultrasonic surgery, ultrasonic atomizer, and ultrasonic speaker, are analyzed and designed by finite element simulation methods. However, the discrepancy between the design and the experiment results of the device typically occurs due to the inaccuracy of the piezoelectric material properties. To improve the simulation accuracy, the material properties of the PZT ceramics were better refined using parameter estimation method. The material parameters are elastic stiffness c^E_ij and piezoelectric constant e_ij of PZT ceramics. The impedance curve characteristics for the LTE mode of PZT ceramics were calculated. The mismatch between the simulation and the experimental data were compared and minimized by a least square method. Finally, the simulated impedance data were compared with the experimental data for the various vibration modes of PZT ceramics and the optimized material properties of PZT ceramics were verified. To further verify the accuracy, this method was also applied to piezoelectric PMN-PT single crystals.

The development of efficient electron donor (or hole-transporting) molecules that can be used in various optoelectronic device fields is highly demanded. In this work, a novel class of triptycene-based three-dimensional (3D) triphenylamine (TI-TPA) derivatives with different end substituents was designed and prepared for transparent electron donor materials. Owing to the rigid 3D triptycene framework, the obtained TI-TPA derivatives had an amorphous morphology with high thermal decomposition temperature. The oxidation potential of these TI-TPA derivatives decreased as the electron donating strength of the end substituent increased. Among TI-TPA derivatives, TI-TPA-OMe exhibited the highest HOMO level (-5.31 eV) which is similar to that of Spiro-OMeTAD (-5.22 eV). In addition, TI-TPA-OMe was found to form a strong charge transfer complex with the triptycene-based acceptor TI-BQ, leading to a new absorption band at around 640 nm. These results can be applied for developing efficient electron donor materials that can mimic the advantages of the spiro-linked structure and TPA units of Spiro-OMeTAD.

Energy storage capacitors based on dielectric ceramics with superior polarization properties and dielectric constant can provide much higher output power density due to their very fast energy charging/discharging rates, which are particularly suitable for operating pulsed-power devices. For an outstanding energy storage performance of dielectric capacitor, a large recoverable energy density could be derived by introducing a slim polarization-electric field hysteresis loop into dielectric materials by various technical approaches. Many research teams have explored various dielectric capacitor technologies to demonstrate high output power density and ultrafast charging/discharging behavior. This article reviews the recent research progress in high-performance dielectric capacitors for pulsed-power electronic applications.

Capacitive-type humidity sensors with a high sensitivity and fast response/recovery times have attracted a great attention in non-contact respiration biological signal monitoring applications. However, complicated fabrication processes involving high-temperature heat treatment for the hygroscopic film is essential in the conventional ceramic-based humidity sensors. In this study, a non-toxic ceramic/metal halide (BaTiO₃(BT)/NaCl) humidity sensor was prepared at room temperature using a solvent-free aerosol deposition process (AD) without any additional process. Currently prepared BT/NaCl humidity sensor shows an excellent sensitivity (245 pF/RH%) and superior response/recovery times (3s/4s) due to the NaCl ionization effect resulting in an immense interfacial polarization. Furthermore, the non-contact respiration signal variation using the BT/NaCl sensor was determined to be over 700% by maintaining the distance of 20 cm between the individual and the sensor. Through the AD-fabricated sensor in this study, we expect to develop a non-contact biological signal monitoring system that can be applied to various fields such as respiratory disease detection and management, infant respiratory signal observation, and touchless skin moisture sensing button.

Electrohydrodynamic jet (e-jet) printing, a type of direct contactless microfabrication technology, is a versatile fabrication process that enables a wide range of micro/nanopattern arrays by applying a strong electric field between the nozzle and the substrate. In general, the morphology and the thickness of polymers/quantum dot micropatterns show a systematic dependence on the diameter of the nozzle and the ink composition with a fully automated printing machine. The purpose of this report is to provide typical examples of e-jet printed micropatterns of polymers/quantum dots to explain the effect of each process variable on the result of experiments. Here, we demonstrate several operating conditions that allow high-resolution printing of layers of polymers/quantum dots with a precise control over thickness and submicron lateral resolution.

Piezoelectric ceramic fiber composite (PCFC) was fabricated using a planar electrode printed piezoelectric ceramic fiber driven in transverse mode for small-scale wind energy harvester applications. The PCFC consisted of an epoxy matrix material and piezoelectric ceramic fibers sandwiched by interdigitated electrode (IDE) patterned polyimide films. The PCFC showed an excellent mechanical performance under a continuous stress. For the fabrication of PCB cantilever harvester, five -PCFCs were vertically attached onto a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) substrate, and then PCFCs were serially connected through a printed Cu circuit. The energy harvesting performance was evaluated applying an inverted structure, which imples its free leading edge located at an open end but the trailing edge at a clamped end, to enhance strain energy in a wind tunnel. The output voltage of the PCB cantilever harvester was increased as the wind speed increased. The maximum output power was 17.2 μW at a resistance load of 200 kΩ and wind speed of 9 m/s. It is considered that the PCB cantilever energy harvester reveals a potential use for wind energy harvester applications.

This study investigated the low temperature sintering with various templates of Bi-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. The effects of using CuO-coated Na_0.5Bi_4.5Ti₄O₁₅ templates on the sintering behavior as well as the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of Bi_1/2(Na_0.78K_0.22)_1/2TiO₃ (BNKT) ceramics have been examined. In comparison with the specimens sintered with the Na_0.5Bi_4.5Ti₄O₁₅ templates without CuO coating, those sintered with the CuO-coated Na_0.5Bi_4.5Ti₄O₁₅ templates showed larger template sizes as well as a larger electric field induced strain (S_max/E_max) of 422 pm/V after sintering at temperatures as low as 975℃. These results are promising for low-cost multilayer ceramic actuator applications.