Cost-Effective PiezoCrystal Transducer Assembly Technologies

The objective of this program is to devise and demonstrate innovative materials processing methods for the cost-effective fabrication of relaxor piezoelectric single crystals into complex sonar transducer assemblies. MSI has chosen to focus on fabrication issues in mid to high frequency transducers involving PiezoCrystal composite materials, using its established base of ceramic piezocomposite transducer assembly methods to leverage development of a line of broadly-applicable PiezoCrystal transducer assembly technologies. In Phase I, MSI will develop cost-effective techniques for producing robust PiezoCrystal composite. Highly conductive, mechanically and electrically robust electroding techniques will also be developed based on MSI''s established ceramic composite expertise. In Phase II, MSI will extend the Phase I processing techniques to include lamination of a variety of materials including polymers and metals so that a variety of Langevin style (thickness mode resonator) transducers can be produced.