Where Do Piezoelectric Crystals Come From?
Although most of today’s consumers are unfamiliar with how piezoelectricity works, many of the electronic devices they buy contain piezoelectric crystals to perform various internal functions. These crystals have the unique ability to generate an electrical force when subjected to mechanical stress and pressure. For this reason, piezoelectricity is present in a comprehensive application range across various industries, from vibration sensors and cell phones to inkjet printers, ultrasound transducers, and barbeque grill ignitors.
How Does Piezoelectricity Work?
Regular crystals contain unit cells defined by their repeated, symmetrical structures held together by bonds. Most common crystals have these balanced, isotropic structures, making them useless for piezoelectric applications. Iron is an excellent example of a crystal with a symmetrical structure.
Piezoelectric crystals have asymmetrical structures despite existing in an electrically neutral balance. When applying mechanical pressure to these crystals, the structure deforms and the atoms move around, resulting in a crystal that conducts an electrical current.
The word piezoelectric stems from the Greek term piezein, which means to press or squeeze. Besides generating electricity under pressure, piezoelectric crystals also work on the inverse principle — expanding and contracting to convert electrical energy into movement and sound waves when subjected to an appropriate electrical current.
Origins of Piezoelectric Crystals
Various piezoelectric materials, including natural and engineered materials, can generate electric currents. Quartz is the most common natural crystal and was the first piezoelectric material used in electronic devices. Other common naturally occurring piezoelectric materials include tourmaline, topaz, and Rochelle salt.
French physicists Pierre and Jacques Curie discovered the piezoelectric effect in 1880. As piezoelectric technology started gaining ground militarily and industrially in the mid-twentieth century, pioneers began developing human-made materials to rival the performance of quartz, including lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and other various compositions of piezoelectric ceramics such as barium titanate and lithium niobate.
Piezoelectric Crystal Applications
Gas grills and cigarette lighters are two of the most common — yet fundamental — applications of piezoelectricity in the everyday world. These devices employ a hammer to strike a piezoelectric crystal, producing enough energy to create a spark and ignite the gas.
Piezoelectric crystals can detect even the slightest disturbance or inconsistency when used in sensors, making them perfect for security alarms and medical imaging applications. Because of their precise movement and ability to convert mechanical energy into signals, piezo materials also work well as vibration monitors for industrial tools and other commercial devices. In addition, piezoelectric pickups can amplify acoustic musical instruments, including guitars and violins.
Discover More With APC International
If you want to learn more about how piezoelectricity and piezoelectric materials can benefit your operation, trust the experts at APC International. We offer a comprehensive list of piezoelectric products manufactured to your specifications, including custom transducers and components, discs, rings, cylinders, plates and more. Our processing capabilities range from designing and machining to custom electroding and product testing.
Contact us online or call 570-726-6961 today to start.
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