Single Crystal Relaxor Ferroelectrics for High Performance Bio-Medical Ultrasound Transducers

The TRP-SBIR project will address the synthesis and characterization of single crystal relaxor ferroelectrics for high performance bio-medical transducers. The ability to grow single crystals of various relaxor-based compositions with specific crystallographic orientations offers piezoelectric, dielectric and electro-mechanical properties not achieveable in ploycrystalline PZT ceramics. Limitations associated with the multi-domain state of polycryastalline ceramics are eliminated in single crystals. Consequently, these single crystals will exhibit better temperature stability allowing devices to operate in adverse environments and be sterilized with an autoclave technique. In addition, the single crystal form of these materials will be more easily fabricated into high frequency (MHz) transducer arrays where the elemental scale approaches that of the microstructural features in polycrystalline ceramics. The Phase I research will provide a basis for further crystal growth studies, characterization, and testing in Phase II leading to a new family of laparoscopic imaging probes for both the military battlefield and domestic diagnostic care. Anticipated Military Benefits/Potential Commercial Applications of the Research or Development: The benefit of this program will be the establishment of a new family of high performance bio-medical transducers.