3D Printed Pyroelectric Lithium-Niobate High Voltages Source with Pull-in Regulated Output

In this paper, a high voltage source (output voltage 1.03 kV), with low system mass density and compact size is realized for micro-robotics using 3D printed conductive polylactic acid (CPLA) polymer. The device includes both the resistive heater and an electrostatically actuated cantilever switch in tight integration with a pyroelectric crystal. A lithium niobate crystal is embedded within the heater to generate high voltages using the pyroelectric effect and the electrostatic actuator transfers this voltage at its pull-in voltage. The low density of CPLA material and the ability to integrate the voltage source and pull-in cantilever switch in the same material can potentially enable fast design capability for battery driven autonomous micro-robotics.