piezoelectricity is the electric potential created by the bending, pressing, or shearing of materials. Most commonly referred to as a type of energy harvesting technology, piezoelectricity has been around for centuries, primarily used for measuring mechanical force or providing tactile feedback in medical devices. Unlike other energy harvesting technologies, piezoelectricity can be used to harvest or release small amounts of energy directly from or to a mechanical source.
Piezoelectric materials are inorganic compounds, typically crystal structures, that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. When a piezoelectric material is exposed to stress or deformation, tiny electrical charges will build up at the surface of the material, creating a potential difference across the material’s surface. This material can then be used to generate electricity when the stress or strain is released.
Piezoelectric materials range in size from nanometers to millimeters and can be used to harvest energy from a variety of sources. Commonly used to measure force with a force sensitive resistor, piezoelectrics can also be used for more sophisticated applications such as position sensing, biometric monitoring, and vibration measurements.
Depending on the application, piezoelectrics can be used on a large scale, such as in industrial wave energy converters or on a much smaller scale, such as in medical implants or wearable electronics. In wave energy converters, low frequency waves, including tidal, oceanic, and river wave energy, are converted into electricity via piezoelectric devices. This technology has been used to produce power in a number of hydroelectric systems, including the world’s largest wave energy plant in Scotland, which generates over 200 megawatts of electricity. In medical devices, piezoelectric materials are often used to measure deflection or strain on an implant or device, providing feedback that can be used to monitor motion or position.
Piezoelectricity has been used extensively in commercial products and technologies, as well as a number of military applications. Piezoelectric ink—a type of electrical paint—is often used in automotive bumper sensors to detect impacts, and piezoelectric transducers are used to improve the sound quality of speakers and microphones. Piezoelectric materials have even been used in military applications, such as acoustic sensors that detect the sound of enemy vehicles or missiles.
Given the variety of applications and uses for piezoelectric materials, it’s likely that this technology will continue to grow in popularity and become an even more important part of our day-to-day lives. As this technology evolves, so will our ability to harvest energy directly from the environment and to utilize natural sources of energy. With continued research and developments, piezoelectricity will become a true powerhouse when it comes to clean and renewable energy sources.
