Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Devices for Energy Efficiency and Power

This review article presents recent work in piezoelectric and ferroelectric devices for Army applications requiring energy efficient electronics and efficient power sources. The article highlights device designs and techniques for thin-film materials such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), aluminum nitride (AlN) and quartz for high radio frequency (RF) piezoelectric transformers and matching networks. Thin-film and bulk-scale PZT as well as other ferroelectric materials are considered for power source applications such as wireless power transfer and combustion-based heat sources. 3D printing techniques in low-cost printing tools are presented showing ferroelectret devices and the ability to selectively pattern and include conductive copper conductive traces for applications including energy harvesting and sensors.