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From: campbell@gnu.ai.mit.edu (nobody:*:-2:60001:I. N. Cognito:/:)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: kynar
Message-ID: <1991May8.134836.15079@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 8 May 91 02:39:45 GMT
Sender: hlab@milton.u.washington.edu (Human Int. Technology Lab)
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        I tried to drop the address and let you guys place with the corporate
bureaucracy, but NO! You want me to just tell you flat out and not let you go
through the same hassles I did!  :-)

        Samples: They have kits and samples available, for a price. I had to
pull some politics, but it is definitely possible to get a free sample out
of them if you pull the right strings.

        Kits available:

Basic design kit ($50): microphone, speaker, switch, IR detector, and
acoustic pickup demo

Switch Kit ($50): limit, impact, soft-contact, wake-up, infrared,
magnetic (reed) and snap-action switches

Vibration sensor kit and accelerometer ($149): Demonstrates the advantages
over the traditional sensors in this range.

Motion Sensor ($25): self contained subassembly w/ sensor, electronics, and
LED indicator.

Bimorph actuator ($95): optical shutters, deformable mirrors, and
micropositioner and air flow generation applications.

Piezo Cable KIT ($05): For large area sensing areas. Has a long cable attached
instead of a short, small sensor.

IR sensor Kit ($199): Demonstrates detecting infrared human body, car sensors,
flame sensors, night vision, and ballistics.

Sheets available:

Size    9microns        28microns       52microns       110microns
(cmXcm)
15X15   $55             $45             $55             $65
15X30   $110            $90             $110            $130

30cmXcontinuous rolls also available
Special orders can be made for Ni, Ag, Cr, Cu, Au, Al, NiCr, Pd, and ITO
coatings. Standard is NiCu. BTW, ITO is transparent.

Ag metallization (thick)

Size            Thickness
cmXcm   28      52      110
15X15   $45     $55     $65
15X30   $90     $110    $130
30cm continuous also available.

Small electrodes:

size (mmXmm)    thickness (micrometers) price each
40X15           28                      $.50
40X15           52                      $.60
70X15           28                      $1.00
70X15           52                      $1.20
85X22           28                      $2.00
85X22           52                      $2.40
165X22          28                      $4.00
165X22          52                      $4.80

They attach leads to anything for about $2 and have lots of other stuff,
but this should give you a good estimate on price.

The company I have (there are a couple others) is 

Atochem North America
Piezo Film Sensor Division
PO Box 799
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0799
Tech line: 215 666 3547

Regional sales offices:
East Coast:
PO Box 799
Valley Forge, PA 19482
215 666 3500 Fax: 215 666 3509

Midwest:
801 E. Ogden Avenue
Suite 1160
Naperville, IL 60563-2865
708 961 2922 Fax: 708 961 2994

West Coast:
172 Big Valley Road
Folsom, CA 95630
916 983 8644
Fax: 916 983 0479

Europe:
Atochem Piezo Film Ltd.
22 Ridge Way
Hillend Industrial Park
Dunfermline, Fife
Scotland, KY115JN
0383-825063 Telex: 72465 CHACOM G (Syrinx) Fax: 0383-825070

Teflon is not the same as Kynar. Kynar is PVDF, which can be treated with
magnetic systems to make it perform as a piezoelectric substance. They did
that back in the early 70's, but it didn't really show up on the market
until the early 80's. Teflon could be treated the same way, but they also
tried lots of ceramics and didn't have much luck with anything else, but
then Teflon is a new material. Any chemists willing to do take-home work?