The direct Effect : Generator

• Compression
F
Effect: Decrease in volume
and it has a voltage with
the same polarity as the
material

F
• Tension
Effect: Increase in volume
and it has a voltage with
opposite polarity as the
material
The Inverse Piezoelectric Effect

• If the applied voltage has

the same polarity then
the material expands.

• If the applied voltage has

the opposite polarity then
the material contracts.
 Developing theories…
• Pierre and Jacques Curie predicted and
demonstrated the piezoelectric effect using
tinfoil, glue, wire, magnets, and a jeweler’s saw.
• They showed that crystals of tourmaline, quartz,
topaz, cane sugar, and Rochelle salt generate
electrical polarization from mechanical stress.
• The converse effect was mathematically derived
by Gabriel Lippman in 1881 using fundamental
thermodynamic principles and was later
experimentally confirmed by the Curies.
 How are Piezoelectric ceramics
made?
• Fine powders of the component metal oxides are mixed
in specific proportions, then heated to form a uniform
powder.
• The powder is mixed with an organic binder and is
formed into structural elements.
• The elements are fired according to a specific time and
temperature program, during which the powder particles
sinter and the material attains a dense crystalline
structure.
• The elements are cooled, then shaped or trimmed to
specifications. Electrodes are applied to a conducting
material, which is connected to the elements.
 Crystal Structure and
Dipole Moments
• A traditional piezoelectric ceramic is a
mass of perovskite crystals. Each crystal
consists of a small tetravalent metal ion,
usually titanium or zirconium, in a lattice
of larger divalent metal ions, usually lead
or barium, and O2- ions
• At temperatures below the Curie point,
however, each crystal has tetragonal or
rhombohedral symmetry and a dipole
moment. Above the Curie point each
perovskite crystal in the fired ceramic
element exhibits a cubic symmetry with
no dipole moment.
Polarizing Piezoelectric Material
• Adjoining dipoles form regions of local alignment called domains.
The alignment gives a net dipole moment to the domain, and thus a
net polarization. The direction of polarization among neighboring
domains is random, however, so the ceramic element has no overall
polarization.
• The domains in a ceramic element are aligned by exposing the
element to a strong, direct current electric field, usually at a
temperature slightly below the Curie point
• When the electric field is removed most of the dipoles are locked
into a configuration of near alignment
Types of Piezoelectric Materials
• Naturally occurring crystals:
Berlinite (AlPO4), cane sugar, Quartz, Rochelle salt, Topaz,
Tourmaline Group Minerals, and dry bone (apatite crystals)

• Man-made crystals:
Gallium orthophosphate (GaPO4), Langasite (La3Ga5SiO14)

• Man-made ceramics:
Barium titanate (BaTiO3), Lead titanate (PbTiO3), Lead zirconate
titanate (Pb[ZrxTi1-x]O3 0<x<1) - More commonly known as PZT,
Potassium niobate (KNbO3), Lithium niobate (LiNbO3), Lithium
tantalate (LiTaO3), Sodium tungstate (NaxWO3), Ba2NaNb5O5,
Pb2KNb5O15

• Polymers:
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)
Sonic and Ultrasonic Applications
• Sonar with Ultrasonic
time-domain
reflectometers
• Materials testing to detect
flaws inside cast metals
and stone objects as well
as measure elasticity or
viscosity in gases and
liquids
• Compact sensitive
microphones and guitar
pickups.
• Loudspeakers
Pressure Applications
• Transient pressure measurement to
study explosives, internal combustion
engines (knock sensors), and any
other vibrations, accelerations, or
impacts.
• Piezoelectric microbalances are used
as very sensitive chemical and
biological sensors.
• Transducers are used in electronic
drum pads to detect the impact of the
drummer's sticks.
• Energy Harvesting from impact on the
ground
• Atomic force and scanning tunneling
microscopes.
• Electric igniters and cigarette lighters
Consumer Electronics Applications
• Quartz crystals resonators as
frequency stabilizers for
oscillators in all computers.
• Phonograph pick-ups
• Accelerometers: In a
piezoelectric accelerometer a
mass is attached to a spring
that is attached to a
piezoelectric crystal. When
subjected to vibration the
mass compresses and
stretches the piezo electric
crystal. (iPhone)
Motor Applications
• Piezoelectric elements can be
used in laser mirror alignment,
where their ability to move a large
mass (the mirror mount) over
microscopic distances is exploited.
By electronically vibrating the
mirror it gives the light reflected
off it a Doppler shift to fine tune
the laser's frequency.
• The piezo motor is viewed as a
high-precision replacement for the
stepper motor.
• Traveling-wave motors used for
auto-focus in cameras.
Our Experiment