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Media
factsheet
The Piezo
Institute is the centre of European expertise and resources in
the fast growing field of piezoelectric materials and devices.
It has been created by the EU-funded MIND Network of Excellence
and is an excellent example of collaboration between
universities and industry. Founding members are from Denmark,
France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and
the UK.
Piezoelectric
materials are successfully and profitably applied in many
applications and industries. They improve product quality,
sensing capabilities and device performance. The Piezo Institute
will help European academics and businesses – world leaders in
the field – to expand piezoelectric materials and devices into
new applications.
What is
piezoelectricity?
Piezoelectricity is the ability of certain materials to generate
an electric charge in response to mechanical stress; for
example, generators in your shoes could charge your iPod as you
walk.
They also
have the opposite effect: the application of electric voltage
produces mechanical strain in piezoelectric materials.
Both of these
effects can be measured, making piezoelectric materials
effective in sensors and transducers.
Applications
After
spending the first few decades after its discovery as a lab
curiosity, the piezoelectric effect has become a common part of
many technologies we routinely use in everyday life. It is
crucial in the healthcare and automotive industries, and
environmental monitoring.
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Generators / igniters |
Piezoelectric ceramics generate voltages sufficient to
spark across an electrode gap.
Example: igniters in fuel lighters, gas stoves, welding
equipment etc. |
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Capacitors |
The electrical energy generated by piezoelectric
materials can be stored.
Example: excellent solid-state batteries for electronic
circuits. |
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Sensors |
A
sensor converts a physical parameter, eg acceleration or
pressure, into an electrical signal. A system responds
(visually, audibly, or physically) to sensor input.
Example: automobile seatbelts that lock in response to a
rapid deceleration. |
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Actuators |
Piezoelectric motors are unaffected by energy efficiency
losses that limit the miniaturisation of electromagnetic
motors. Another advantage is the absence of
electromagnetic noise.
Example: piezoelectric actuators are used to control
hydraulic valves, act as small-volume pumps, or
special-purpose motors. |
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Transducers |
Piezoelectric transducers convert electrical energy into
vibrational mechanical energy, often sound or
ultrasound. These transducers have significant
advantages over alternative electromagnetic devices.
They are compact, simple, highly reliable, and minimal
energy can produce a high level of sound –
characteristics that are ideally matched to the needs of
battery-powered equipment.
Example: medical ultrasound scans. |
All genuine
media requests should be directed as follows:
Piezo
Institute central press office
media@piezoinstitute.com
+44 845 680
1862
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