Micro-Stereolithography of KNN Piezoceramics for Ultrasonic Transducers

As a noninvasive, cost-effectiveness, and real-time imaging technology, ultrasonic imaging has been successfully applied in medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. However, the design and fabrication of ultrasonic transducers, the core component of ultrasonic imaging system, greatly limit its applications and development. The paper presents the latest development of alkaline niobate (KNN)based lead-free piezoceramics for ultrasonic transducers by using micro-stereolithography (μSL) technique. The printed KNN piezoceramics exhibit superior piezoelectric and ferroelectric performance after a well-designed heating treatment process. Complex architectures, such as spherically focused 2D segmented annular array, are easily realized within a very short time by using this approach. These results suggest that μSL technique may serve as an alternative method for KNN lead-free piezoceramic transducers.