Piezoelectric PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) are extraordinary transducer materials but they can present complex challenges to sensor designers unfamiliar with their unique characteristics. These polymers are commercially produced in film thicknesses ranging from a few hundred nanometers to hundreds of micrometers, offer very high sensitivity in certain applications, and are flexible and 2.5D conformable. PVDF sensors may be tens or even hundreds of centimeters in size and are robust enough to survive in high strain applications without irreversible damage. These materials have been promoted for use in many applications in the last 30 years. Lionville Scientific and its associates have more than 40 years of combined experience with PVDF & P(VDF-TrFE) materials and the design of sensors and transducers made from these unusual polymers. We can offer practical and experienced insight into the use of these special materials in many applications in addition to these:
- Dynamic strain gauging, acceleration, vibration and impact/event detection
- Seismic and geophysical sensors including hyrdophones & hydroacoustic sensors
- Medical vital signs including apnea and bed/sleep physiology sensing
- Acoustic emission detection
- Ultrasound transducers, Mason/KLM modeling, impedance matching and switching
- Contact microphones and musical instrument pickups
- Flow detection
- Passive infrared detection
- Physical & perimeter security
- Services include:
- Assessment of your application and preliminary design, theoretical analyses, literature review, paper report
- Collaborative ideation, initial design development, guidance for sample build & test
- Generation of performance specifications suitable for the sensor in the application
- Development of design and process documents to assist your product launch
- Interface support between your engineering team, PVDF material & sensor manufacturers, and your customers as needed to ensure project success