Piezoelectric Stack Actuators Piezo elements are materials that can produce an electric charge when deformed. On the other hand, these elements conversely expand or contract when an electric charge is applied, generating force and linear displacement. When multiple piezo elements are stacked, the device is capable of mechanical work and produces movement from the combined…
What are Multilayer Piezoelectric Actuators? Multilayer piezoelectric actuators, also known as stack actuators, are exactly what they sound 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…
In the last decade, piezoelectric bimorph applications worldwide have expanded dramatically. A new class of miniature, highly-specialized instruments, alarms and sound production devices, requiring very low power consumption, are needed in countless emerging applications. Piezoelectric manufactures are now able to provide piezoelectric product solutions to companies that in the past could not afford the steep,…
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 Piezoelectric Transducers? Transducers are devices that convert one form of energy into another and can be categorized into many different kinds. Sensors and actuators are both kinds of transducers, with categorization being determined by the direction of the information passed through them. Piezo transducer applications vary greatly. Microphones and guitar pickups convert sounds…
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 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 facts about how this growing class of actuators perform.…
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 will show the public how this new and innovative technology could lead to self-powered cities. This will be demonstrated at the…
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 and Rochelle salts created electricity. Today, we know that piezoelectricity is the electricity produced by certain materials as a result of being put under mechanical stress and/or vibration. All…