Interest is growing around the world concerning the wide variety of applications of piezoelectric devices, which freely convert electrical potential and displacement. Piezoelectric Technology, leading the New Technological Era "Piezo" refers to the properties of certain types of crystal that change shape with the application of electrical voltage, and which produce electric voltage as a result of these changes. These properties are one of nature’s mysteries. Piezoelectric devices are made with these crystals, which are ceramicized, layered, and converted into elements, to serve as the central units in digital devices. These piezoelectric devices have many advanced qualities. As well as their great force, rapid response times, and high displacement accuracy, they are exceptionally energy efficient, stable, and produce very little heat or noise. Their design is also exceedingly simple, making them small enough to use in the thinnest, most compact locations. Flat-screen televisions, digital cameras, and DVD recorders are the latest household status symbols that are in the spotlight for their ability to drive economic growth. Digital home appliances such as these have the often-conflicting demands of advanced features and compactness. These demands result in an increasingly high density of parts in digital home appliances. At the same time, the higher frequencies used in device operation result in increases in noise and heat production. Electromagnetic components used in the past have nearly reached the limit of their capabilities to meet such harsh conditions. In order to continue to raise the level of digital home appliances, a new solution is needed. The key technology for this new technological era is none other than the piezoelectric device. At NEC TOKIN, we have almost 40 years of experience working with piezoelectric devices. We saw the potential in piezoelectric technology from the very beginning, and have since brought forth numerous developments and accumulated a great deal of technology. Over this time, we have gained experience and developed significant intellectual properties. For example, when it comes to ceramicizing materials, we have the ability to control not only basic physical aspects such as composition, impurity management, sintering density, and vacancy diameter, but also advanced physical aspects such as crystal grain diameter, grain diameter distribution, grain boundary structure, and vacancy distribution essential for high-quality ceramics production. In the layering process of device construction as well, our foresight has enabled us to use the simple yet leading patented technology of full surface electrode construction, thereby avoiding the weaknesses of piezoelectric devices and continuing to open up a wide range of applications. We also have a long record of processing ceramics into elements, unit production technologies, and measurement technologies for the objective evaluation of completed device and unit performance. Our distinctiveness is in our solid, systematized technological strength in all processes related to the construction of piezoelectric devices, from basic materials technologies to unit and measurement technologies. NEC TOKIN's approach to surveying the entirety of piezoelectric technologies while rapidly responding to customer needs is a culture unto itself. In the 21st century, piezoelectric devices will not only make the expansion of current markets possible, but increasingly replace markets where electromagnetic components have been dominant, leading to entirely new applications and a dramatic increase in usage. Our advanced technological strength is sure to contribute greatly to society in this coming era.