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.
| Generators / igniters |
Piezoelectric ceramics generate voltages sufficient to spark across an electrode gap. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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