SMART MATERIALS
(MEC3014)
BY :- GANESH KN (20221LME0023)
NAVEEN K(20221LME0028)
DARSHAN NP (20221LME0022)
MAHAMMED SUHEL K (20221LME0018)
PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS:-
WORKING PRINCIPLE,APPLICATIONS,
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
WHAT IS PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL …..?
• To know what a piezoelectric material is one has to know what does the
term piezoelectric stand for?. In PIEZOELECTRICITY the term” piezo”
stands for pressure or stress.
• Thus piezoelectricity is defined as “Electricity generated by application of
mechanical stress or tension” and the materials that exhibit this property
comes under the category of piezoelectric materials.
HOW PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL WORKS…?
• piezoelectric materials can work in two modes:
• The direct piezoelectric effect
• Converse piezoelectric effect
WORKING PRINCIPLE
• The working principle of piezoelectric materials is based on the
piezoelectric effect, where mechanical stress applied to the
material generates an electric charge. This occurs due to the non-
centrosymmetric arrangement of atoms in their crystal structure.
• When stress is applied, the structure deforms, causing a shift in
the positions of positive and negative charge centers, resulting in
polarization and an electric potential. Conversely,
• when an electric field is applied, the material undergoes
mechanical deformation. This bidirectional property allows
piezoelectric materials to function as sensors (converting
mechanical energy to electrical energy) and actuators (converting
electrical energy to mechanical motion).
APPLLICATIONS
• Piezoelectric materials are widely used across various
industries due to their unique ability to convert mechanical
energy into electrical energy and vice versa.
• Sensors: Used in pressure sensors, accelerometers, and force
sensors for detecting pressure, vibration, and motion.
• Actuators: In precision motors, inkjet printers, and micro-
positioning systems for fine control.
• Energy Harvesting: Harvesting energy from vibrations to
power small devices or sensors.
• Medical Devices: Used in ultrasound imaging, hearing aids, and
surgical tools.
• Consumer Electronics: In touchscreens, vibration motors, and haptic
feedback systems.
• Aerospace and Automotive: For structural health monitoring and
vibration control in aircraft and vehicles.
• Telecommunications: In frequency control devices like oscillators and
filters.
• Military: For seismic sensors and missile guidance systems.
These materials offer versatility, high precision, and efficiency across
various industries.
ADVANTAGES
•High Sensitivity: Piezoelectric materials are highly sensitive to mechanical stress,
making them ideal for precise measurements in sensors such as pressure, force,
and vibration.
•Compact and Lightweight: These materials can be used to create small and
lightweight devices, suitable for portable applications, wearable electronics, and
aerospace technologies.
•No External Power Source: They generate electricity when subjected to
mechanical stress, enabling energy harvesting from environmental vibrations or
movement without needing a separate power source.
•Fast Response Time: Piezoelectric materials have rapid response times, which is
essential for applications that require real-time measurements or actuation, such as
in accelerometers or active vibration damping.
• Durability and Robustness: They can function in harsh environments,
withstanding extreme temperatures, pressures, and vibrations, making them
suitable for industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications.
• Energy Efficiency: They efficiently convert mechanical energy into electrical
energy, which is valuable for self-powered systems, sensors, and energy
harvesting applications.
• No Moving Parts: The lack of mechanical moving parts reduces the risk of
wear and tear, increasing the reliability and lifespan of piezoelectric devices.
• Versatility: Piezoelectric materials are used in a wide variety of applications,
including sensors, actuators, medical devices (ultrasound), consumer
electronics (touchscreens), and energy harvesting systems.
DISADVANTAGES
• Limited Power Output: The amount of electrical energy generated
by piezoelectric materials is typically small, which limits their use in
high-power applications. For energy harvesting, this means they may
only be suitable for low-power, low-energy devices.
• Temperature Sensitivity: The piezoelectric effect can be affected
by temperature variations, with some materials losing efficiency or
even being damaged under extreme thermal conditions.
• Mechanical Fatigue: Over time, repeated mechanical stress can
lead to the degradation of the material’s piezoelectric properties,
limiting its lifespan, especially under continuous or high-intensity use.
• Brittleness: Many piezoelectric materials, especially
ceramics (like PZT), are brittle and prone to cracking or
breaking under high mechanical stress, which can affect the
durability and performance of devices.
• Cost of Advanced Materials: High-performance
piezoelectric materials (like lead zirconate titanate, PZT) can
be expensive to produce, limiting their widespread use in
cost-sensitive applications.
• Environmental Impact: Some piezoelectric materials, such
as lead-based compounds (e.g., PZT), raise environmental
concerns due to the toxicity of lead, especially in disposal or
recycling processes.
