What are Piezoelectric Bimorphs? Piezoelectric bimorphs, as the name suggests, involve two separate pieces of piezoelectric ceramic put together in such a way that when a voltage is applied, the piece bends (only actuators do this, of course. Sensors and other applications may vary). This is a way to greatly magnify the power and range [...]
What are Multilayer Piezoelectric Actuators? Multilayer piezoelectric actuators, also known as stack actuators, is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a stack of multiple thin piezoelectric actuators. Due to several properties of piezoelectric crystals, this results in a multiplicative effect on the individual components’ output for the same voltage. In other words, where a single [...]
What are Piezoelectric Transducers? Transducers are the “opposite” of actuators: they convert mechanical energy into electric energy, which can be read or transformed with an actuator. Their applications vary greatly. Microphones and guitar pickups convert sounds or vibrations into electrical energy; keyboards sometimes use piezoelectric transducers to detect keystrokes; the list goes on. The most [...]
The Growing Piezoelectric Industry The piezoelectric effect isn’t something most are familiar with despite its prevalence in technology. Ask someone how their printer works, and most would fail to provide an answer, and if they do, it probably won’t be about piezoelectric crystals. To be fair, it is an obscure topic, and its applications are [...]
What are Piezoelectric Sensors? Piezoelectric sensors are transducers that convert environmental conditions into readable and usable electrical signals. There are two types: active and passive. The former sends ultrasonic signals and waits for a response, after which it releases an electrical signal. Information regarding distance and depth can be obtained when analyzing the delay. The [...]
Interesting Information on a New Class of Piezoelectric Actuators and Assemblies from Piezo Direct Author – Hunter Liu – Contributing Editor, Piezo Direct Many companies who are thinking about integrating piezoelectric components into future products often ask many questions regarding how piezoelectric actuators function in a wide array of products. Here are some interesting information [...]
The possibilities are endless for the future of piezo technology. Just last month, NASA announced a collaboration with Georgia Tech Research Institute to build a 40,000 square foot outdoor footpath using piezoelectricity. This project is to show the public how this new and innovative technology could lead us to having self-powered cities. This will be [...]
What is Piezoelectricity? Piezoelectricity, also called the piezoelectric effect, was discovered in 1880 by two French brothers. They found that putting pressure on materials like quartz created electricity. Today, we know that piezoelectricity is the ability of certain materials like quartz, Rochelle salts, and various other solids, to generate an alternating current voltage when put [...]