Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

Module-2
Electrically Activated Materials
Introduction
Electrically activated materials refer to a class of materials that can undergo changes in their
properties or behavior when subjected to an electric field. This electrical activation can lead to
a variety of responses, including changes in mechanical, optical, thermal, or magnetic
properties. These materials are part of the broader category of smart materials, which exhibit
dynamic and controllable responses to external stimuli.

Key Features of Electrically Activated Materials:

1. Electroactive Behavior: Electrically activated materials exhibit changes in their properties in

response to an applied electric field. This behavior is often reversible, allowing for precise
control and manipulation.
2. Diverse Applications: These materials find applications in a wide range of fields, including
electronics, sensors, actuators, and adaptive structures. Their ability to respond to electrical
stimuli makes them valuable for creating responsive and intelligent systems.
3. Integration with Electronics: Electrically activated materials are often integrated with
electronic control systems to enable real-time adjustments and precise modulation of their
properties. This integration is crucial for many advanced applications.

Examples of Electrically Activated Materials:

1. Piezoelectric Materials: Piezoelectric materials generate an electric charge in response to

mechanical stress and, conversely, undergo mechanical deformation when subjected to an
electric field. This property is used in various applications, including sensors, actuators, and
energy harvesting devices.
2. Electrostrictive Materials: Similar to piezoelectric materials, electrostrictive materials
change their shape in response to an electric field. This behavior is exploited in applications
such as sensors and adaptive optics.
3. Dielectric Elastomers: These materials can deform when an electric field is applied, making
them suitable for applications such as artificial muscles, soft robotics, and haptic feedback
devices.
4. Electrorheological Fluids: These fluids change their viscosity when subjected to an electric
field, allowing for the development of controllable dampers, clutches, and adaptive shock
absorbers.
5. Smart Fabrics: Certain textiles are designed with electrically activated properties, allowing
them to change color, stiffness, or thermal characteristics in response to an electric field. These
fabrics have applications in fashion, healthcare, and smart textiles.

Applications of Electrically Activated Materials:

1. Actuators: Electrically activated materials are commonly used in actuators for precise control
of mechanical movement. This has applications in robotics, aerospace, and automotive
systems.

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 Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

2. Sensors: These materials are employed in sensors to detect changes in the environment or
measure specific parameters. Examples include pressure sensors, strain sensors, and touch
sensors.
3. Medical Devices: Electrically activated materials are utilized in medical devices such as
artificial muscles, drug delivery systems, and devices for neural stimulation.
4. Adaptive Optics: In optics, electrically activated materials can be used to control the shape of
lenses or mirrors, allowing for the correction of optical aberrations in real-time.
5. Energy Harvesting: Certain electrically activated materials, such as piezoelectric materials,
can be employed in energy harvesting systems to convert mechanical vibrations or movements
into electrical energy.

The field of electrically activated materials continues to evolve as researchers explore new
materials and design principles. This exploration is driven by the desire to create more efficient
and versatile materials for use in emerging technologies and applications across various
industries.

Piezoelectricity
Piezoelectricity is a property exhibited by certain materials that generate an electric charge in
response to applied mechanical stress. Conversely, these materials also undergo mechanical
deformation when an electric field is applied. The phenomenon is named after the Greek word
"piezein," which means to squeeze or press.
Key points about piezoelectricity include:
Materials Certain crystals, ceramics, and biological materials exhibit piezoelectric properties.
Common examples include quartz, Rochelle salt, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), and certain
types of bone and DNA.
Direct and Inverse Piezoelectric Effect:
Direct Piezoelectric Effect: When mechanical stress is applied to a piezoelectric material, it
results in the generation of an electric charge. The amount of charge generated is proportional
to the applied stress.
Inverse Piezoelectric Effect: When an electric field is applied to a piezoelectric material, it
causes the material to undergo mechanical deformation or strain.
Applications
Sensors: Piezoelectric materials are used in various sensors, such as accelerometers, pressure
sensors, and strain gauges.
Actuators: Inverse piezoelectric effect is utilized in actuators for precise positioning and
control in devices like inkjet printers and autofocus mechanisms in cameras.
Transducers: Piezoelectric transducers are used in ultrasound devices for medical imaging
and industrial applications.

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Department of Mechanical Engineering
Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

Energy Harvesting: Piezoelectric materials can convert mechanical vibrations or movements

into electrical energy, which can be harvested and used to power small electronic devices or
sensors.
Piezoelectric Devices:
Crystals: Natural crystals like quartz or synthetic crystals are often used in various
piezoelectric devices due to their reliable and consistent piezoelectric properties.
Ceramics: Man-made ceramics, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), are commonly
employed in many piezoelectric applications
Limitations:
Temperature Sensitivity: Some piezoelectric materials are sensitive to temperature changes,
and their performance may vary with temperature.
Brittleness: Certain piezoelectric materials, especially ceramics, can be brittle and may
fracture under high stress.

Piezoresistivity
Piezoresistivity is a phenomenon in which the electrical resistivity of a material changes in
response to applied mechanical stress. This property is commonly observed in certain
semiconductor materials, and it finds applications in various sensors and devices.
In materials exhibiting piezoresistivity, the electrical resistance changes when the material
undergoes mechanical deformation or strain. The relationship between the applied stress and
the resulting change in resistivity is characterized by the piezoresistive coefficient (π), which
is a measure of the sensitivity of the material to mechanical stress.
Semiconductors, especially silicon, are well-known for their piezoresistive properties. In
silicon-based piezoresistive sensors, changes in mechanical stress lead to variations in the
semiconductor's resistance, allowing the sensor to convert mechanical force or pressure into an
electrical signal. This makes piezoresistive sensors valuable in applications such as pressure
sensors, accelerometers, and force sensors
Applications of Piezoresistivity Materials
Piezoresistive materials find diverse applications in the automotive sector, aerospace sector,
and medical field due to their ability to convert mechanical stress into electrical signals. Here
are some specific applications in each sector
Automotive Sector:
1. Pressure Sensors:
 Piezoresistive materials are used in pressure sensors for measuring parameters such as
oil pressure, fuel pressure, and tire pressure.
 These sensors help monitor and control various aspects of the vehicle's engine and tire
performance

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Department of Mechanical Engineering
Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

2. Accelerometer:
 Accelerometers in airbag systems and stability control systems often utilize
piezoresistive materials.
 These sensors detect changes in acceleration and contribute to the activation of safety
features in the event of a collision.
3. Engine Control System:
 Piezoresistive sensors are employed to measure parameters like engine vibrations and
stress, providing valuable data for engine control systems.
 They contribute to optimizing engine performance and fuel efficiency.
Aerospace Sector:
1. Flight Control System:
 Piezoresistive materials are used in sensors that monitor and measure stress and
deformation in aircraft structures.
 These sensors help ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft and contribute to flight
safety.
2. Aircraft Health Monitor:
 Piezoresistive sensors are employed for structural health monitoring (SHM) in aircraft
components.
 They detect and report changes in stress, strain, and pressure, helping predict
maintenance needs and prevent failures.
3. Wind Tunnel Testing:
 Piezoresistive sensors are used in wind tunnel testing to measure aerodynamic forces
and stresses on aircraft models.
 These measurements aid in the design and optimization of aircraft structures.
Medical Sector:
[Link]:
 Piezoresistive materials are used in medical sensors to measure forces and pressures in
biomechanical applications.
 Examples include pressure sensors in orthopedic implants or devices that monitor joint
movements.
2. Prosthetic and orthotic:
 Piezoresistive sensors are integrated into prosthetic devices and orthotic braces to
monitor pressure and load distribution.
 This helps in designing more comfortable and functionally effective assistive devices.
3. Medical imaging:
 Piezoresistive materials are utilized in pressure sensors for medical imaging
applications, such as in pressure-sensitive mats used in imaging beds or tables .

Atria Institute of Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

Ferroelectricity
Ferroelectric materials are materials that exhibit Ferroelectricity. Ferroelectricity is the ability
of the material to have a spontaneous electric polarization. This polarization can be reversed
by the application of an external electric field in the opposite direction.

Applications
 Ferroelectric materials are used in FeRAM, a type of non-volatile memory that retains
its information even when the power is turned off.
 Ferroelectric materials are used in the production of infrared sensors. The change in
polarization in response to temperature variations allows these sensors to detect infrared
radiation
 Ferroelectric materials often exhibit piezoelectric properties, allowing them to convert
mechanical stress into electrical signals (sensors) or vice versa (actuators). This is used
in devices like ultrasound transducers, inkjet printers, and precision actuators.
 Ferroelectric materials can be used to create tunable capacitors. These are employed in
radio-frequency (RF) and microwave applications
 Ferroelectric materials can be employed in energy harvesting devices where they
convert mechanical vibrations or thermal fluctuations into electrical energy.
 Ferroelectric materials, with their piezoelectric properties, are used in underwater sonar
devices for detecting and transmitting acoustic signals.

Characteristics
 Ferroelectric materials possess a spontaneous electric polarization even in the absence
of an external electric field. This polarization arises from the alignment of dipoles
within the crystal lattice.
 One of the defining features of ferroelectric materials is their ability to switch the
direction of spontaneous polarization under the influence of an external electric field.
This property makes them suitable for use in memory devices.
 Many ferroelectric materials also display piezoelectric properties. When subjected to
mechanical stress, they generate an electric charge, and when exposed to an electric
field, they undergo mechanical deformation.
 Ferroelectric materials often have a high dielectric permittivity, allowing them to store
a significant amount of electric charge. This property contributes to their use in
capacitors and other energy storage devices.
 Ferroelectric materials can switch their polarization rapidly in response to an external
electric field, making them suitable for high-speed applications such as memory devices
and certain types of sensors.

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Department of Mechanical Engineering
Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

Piezoelectric materials
Piezoelectric materials are substances that exhibit the piezoelectric effect, a phenomenon where
the material generates an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress or undergoes
mechanical deformation in response to an applied electric field. This unique property makes
piezoelectric materials valuable for a wide range of applications in sensors, actuators,
transducers, and various electronic devices.

Piezoelectric materials fall broadly into the categories of crystals, ceramics, and polymers.
Some natural organic crystals and polymers exhibit piezoelectricity.
Crystals Ceramics Polymers
 Quartz (SiO₂)  Lead Zirconate  Polyvinylidene
 Topaz Titanate (PZT, Fluoride (PVDF)
 Tourmaline Pb[ZrₓTi₁₋ₓ]O₃):  Polyvinylidene
 Rochelle  Barium Titanate Fluoride-
Salt (Potassium (BaTiO₃) Trifluoroethylene
Sodium Tartrate,  Zinc oxide (ZnO) (P(VDF-TrFE))
KNaC₄H₄O₆·4H₂O)  Poly L-lactic Acid
 Gallium (PLLA)
Orthophosphate  Collagen
(GaPO₄):  Cellulose
 Sucrose (C12H22O11,  Glycine
table sugar):  Polyurea
 Lead titanate  DNA
(PbTiO3)

Characteristics of Piezoelectric material

Piezoelectric Effect: The primary characteristic of piezoelectric materials is the ability to
generate an electric charge in response to mechanical stress (direct piezoelectric effect) or
undergo mechanical deformation in response to an applied electric field (inverse piezoelectric
effect).
Crystalline Structure: Piezoelectricity is most commonly observed in certain crystals, such
as quartz, Rochelle salt, and tourmaline. However, some ceramics, polymers, and biological
materials also exhibit piezoelectric behaviour.

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Polarity Reversibility: Piezoelectric materials can undergo reversible polarity changes when
subjected to alternating mechanical stress or electric fields. This property is essential for
applications like ultrasound transducers and sensors.
Elasticity: Piezoelectric materials are typically elastic, allowing them to deform and return to
their original shape when the applied stress is removed.
Curie Temperature: Similar to ferroelectric materials, some piezoelectric materials have a
Curie temperature above which their piezoelectric properties disappear.

Applications of Piezoelectric Materials:

Ultrasound Transducers: Piezoelectric materials are widely used in medical imaging devices,
such as ultrasound transducers. When an electric field is applied, the piezoelectric crystal
vibrates and produces ultrasonic waves that can be used for imaging internal body structures.
Sensors: Piezoelectric sensors are employed in various applications, including pressure
sensors, accelerometers, and vibration sensors. The sensors generate electrical signals in
response to changes in pressure, acceleration, or vibration, making them useful for monitoring
and control systems.
Actuators: Piezoelectric actuators convert electrical energy into mechanical motion. They are
used in precision positioning systems, nanopositioning devices, and adaptive optics in
telescopes and cameras.
Energy Harvesting: Piezoelectric materials can be utilized to harvest energy from mechanical
vibrations or ambient movements. This energy can be converted into electrical power for low-
power electronic devices.
Sonar Devices: Piezoelectric materials are used in underwater sonar devices for generating
and receiving acoustic signals. The ability to produce and detect sound waves makes them
valuable in marine applications.
Igniters and Piezo Lighters: The rapid expansion and contraction of piezoelectric materials
when subjected to an electric field are employed in igniters for gas stoves, cigarette lighters,
and other devices.
Inkjet Printers: Piezoelectric actuators are utilized in inkjet printers to precisely control the
ejection of ink droplets onto paper.

Atria Institute of Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

Piezoelectric Effect

Piezoelectricity is a property of certain materials that allows them to generate an electric

charge in response to applied mechanical stress. The term originates from the Greek word
“piezein,” which means to press or squeeze, aptly describing the process of generating
electricity through pressure.
How Piezoelectricity Works
The piezoelectric effect occurs at a microscopic level, where the applied mechanical stress
leads to a displacement of the positive and negative charge centers within the crystal structure
of the material. This displacement creates an electric polarization and hence an electric
potential (voltage) across the material. Conversely, when an electric field is applied to a
piezoelectric material, it causes a mechanical deformation, known as the converse
piezoelectric effect.
Piezoelectric Effect
he piezoelectric effect is the direct interaction between the mechanical and electrical states in
crystalline materials with no inversion symmetry. The effect occurs in both natural and
synthetic materials. Deformation of these materials generates an electrical charge. Conversely,
the material changes shape when an electric field is applied.
Direct Piezoelectric Effect
As stated, compressing a piezoelectric material produces electricity (piezoelectricity). Figure
1 explains the concept.

Piezoceramic material—non-conductive piezoelectric ceramic or crystal—is placed between

the two metal plates. For piezoelectricity to be generated, it needs that material to be
compressed or squeezed. Mechanical stress applied to piezoelectric ceramic material generates
electricity.

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Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

As shown in Fig. 1, there’s a voltage potential across the material. The two metal plates
sandwich the piezo crystal. The metal plates collect the charges, which creates/produces
voltage (lightning bolt symbol), i.e., piezoelectricity. In this way, the piezoelectric effect acts
like a miniature battery, because it produces electricity. This is the direct piezoelectric effect.
Devices that use the direct piezoelectric effect include microphones, pressure sensors,
hydrophones, and many other sensing types of devices.

Inverse Piezoelectric Effect

The piezoelectric effect can be reversed, which is referred to as the inverse piezoelectric effect.
This is created by applying electrical voltage to make a piezoelectric crystal shrink or
expand (Fig. 2). The inverse piezoelectric effect converts electrical energy to mechanical
energy.

Using the inverse piezoelectric effect can help develop devices that generate and produce
acoustic sound waves. Examples of piezoelectric acoustic devices are speakers (commonly
found in handheld devices) or buzzers. The advantage of having such speakers is that they are
very thin, which makes them useful in a range of phones. Even medical ultrasound and sonar
transducers use reverse piezoelectric effect. Non-acoustic inverse piezoelectric devices include
motors and actuators.

Piezoceramics
Piezoelectric ceramic is the general designation of ferroelectric ceramics with a piezoelectric
effect through the polarization treatment of polycrystals made by mixing oxide (zirconia, lead
oxide, titanium oxide, etc.) with high-temperature sintering and solid reaction. With good
mechanical and stable piezoelectric properties, piezoelectric ceramics have been widely used
in sensors, the ultrasonic transducer, microdisplacement device, and other electronic
components, etc. as an important force, heat, electricity, light-sensitive functional
material. With the continuous research and improvement of materials technology, and the rapid
development of electronic, information, aerospace and other high-tech fields, the production
technology and application development of piezoelectric ceramic with high intelligent
materials has become a hot topic.

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Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

Characteristics of Piezoelectric Ceramic

Dielectricity: The dielectric properties of piezoelectric ceramics reflect the degree of response
of the ceramic material to an external electric field.

Elasticity: The elastic coefficient of piezoelectric ceramics is a parameter that reflects the
relationship between the deformation of the ceramics and the applied force.

Piezoelectricity: The biggest characteristic of piezoelectric ceramics is piezoelectricity,

including positive piezoelectricity and inverse piezoelectricity. Positive piezoelectricity refers
to the relative displacement of positive and negative charge centers in some dielectrics under
the action of external mechanical force, resulting in polarization, which leads to the appearance
of bound charges with opposite signs on the surfaces of the dielectrics.

Application of Piezoelectric Ceramic

Voice changer: Piezoelectric ceramics can be used as sound transducers for pickups,
microphones, headphones, buzzers, ultrasonic sounders, sonar, and ultrasonic flaw detectors
for materials. Piezoelectric ceramics can generate vibrations of different frequencies through
the control of electronic circuits, thereby emitting various sounds. For example, electronic
music greeting cards convert AC audio signals into sound signals through the inverse
piezoelectric effect.

Piezo Detonator: In order to fight against tanks, an anti-tank gun was invented. The armor-
piercing projectile it fired would explode immediately when it touched the tank, blowing the
tank to pieces. This is because the warhead is equipped with piezoelectric ceramics, which can
convert the strong mechanical force when they collide into an instantaneous high voltage, and
explode a spark to detonate the explosive.

Piezoelectric ceramics for anti-tank weapons

Piezo lighter: This is a new type of electronic lighter used on gas stoves. Just press the ignition
button, and the piezoelectric ceramics on the lighter can generate high voltage to form electric
sparks and ignite the gas. Piezo lighters are not only easy to use, safe and reliable, but also have
a long service life.

Piezoelectric ceramics for gas stoves

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Nuclear safety goggles: When the optical radiation generated by the nuclear explosion reaches
a dangerous level, the goggles made of transparent piezoelectric ceramics will convert it into
instantaneous high-voltage electricity, which can reduce the light intensity to only 1/10000 in
1/1000 s. And it can return to its original state after the explosion. The goggles have a simple
structure, weigh only a few tens of grams, and are very convenient to carry when mounted on
a nuclear-proof goggle helmet.

Piezoelectric Polymers
A brief description of the approximately 40-years history of piezoelectricity in polymers
introduces the wide range of piezoelectric polymers currently available to application
engineers. The origin of the piezoelectric response in polymers ranges from dipole density
piezoelectricity in ferroelectric polymers to intrinsic like piezoelectricity in ferroelectrets.
Printable piezoelectric lac quers and multifunctional polymer ceramic nanocomposites further
enlarge the material basis by combining to advantage the properties of polymeric and ceramic
piezoelectric materials.
Applications of Piezoelectric Polymers
1. PVDF and its copolymers are excellent materials for use in hydrophones,
because of its nearly perfect match with water and other liquids.
2. The soft cellular polymers may only be used for applications in shallow water
3. Piezopolymers are used in sensors for pressure, force, and acceleration
measurements.
4. They are utilized in actuators for precise control of mechanical movements
5. Piezopolymer materials can be used to convert mechanical vibrations into
electrical energy for powering small electronic devices.

Piezoelectric materials as sensors

Piezoelectric sensors are essential in various applications such as industrial, medical, aerospace
engineering and military operations. Piezoelectric sensors also play a role in numerous
everyday devices and applications, including smartphones, musical instruments, automotive
sensing, and structural health monitoring in airplanes, buildings and bridges.

What Is a Piezoelectric Sensor?

A piezoelectric sensor is a device that can convert various physical forces, including pressure,
vibration and temperature, into electrical charges that can be measured. Piezoelectric sensors
are in various electronic objects such as flow meters, sensors, ranging sensors and high-pitch
buzzers.
Piezoelectric sensors come in multiple shapes depending on the structure they’re in. They’re
made of either ceramic or crystal materials and are small, lightweight, hypersensitive and easy
to mount into various appliances and equipment. Their properties make them popular devices
for numerous industrial applications
Piezoelectric sensors are present in several types of daily equipment. Piezoelectric devices can
detect vibrations in alarm systems and alert you against intruders. They can help doctors
measure pulses, and they can help industries such as automotive OEMs monitor motor bearings

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for wear and tear, predicting potential equipment failure. Piezoelectric sensors can even aid in
energy harvesting.
Automotive and aerospace companies use piezoelectric sensors for non-contact applications
because they’re robust enough to withstand harsh environments like high temperatures and
engine pressures. Piezoelectric sensors convert physical parameters like pressure, strain,
motion, temperature and vibration into an electrical charge that can be measured, processed
and interpreted.
Piezoelectric sensors demand low power and are affordable. They are popular because of the
following characteristics:
 High voltage output
 Robust and impact resistant
 Low-power consumption
 Small and compact
 Wide frequency range
 Customizable geometries
 Housings to fit existing and new custom applications

How a Piezoelectric Sensor Works

A piezoelectric sensor sends a signal when it sustains a physical force, which might be pressing,
pushing, or changing temperature. Piezoelectric sensors generate an output signal directly from
applied stress, requiring no external voltage.
The piezoelectric effect is the process that enables a signal output. This effect is how materials
such as certain engineered ceramics, synthetics and select naturally-forming crystals generate
an electric charge when they sustain mechanical stress like squeezing or pushing.

Applications of Piezoelectric Sensors

Security Alarms
Piezoelectric sensors like accelerometers in alarm systems are hypersensitive and can detect
vibrations from knocking or moving, setting off security alarms. The piezoelectric sensors
in an alarm system detect mechanical vibrations, converting them into an electrical charge
across the piezo crystal. The sensor sends a signal and triggers the alarm siren, also typically a
piezo-driven device. You can place piezoelectric sensors on doors, windows, frames, or floors.
Smartphones
Certain smartphones contain piezoelectric touch sensors that are highly sensitive. The physical
force of touching or typing on your phone screen triggers an electric charge across the
piezoelectric sensor materials, indicating the proper command. Devices such as speakers,
vibrators and camera-focusing equipment within certain smartphone devices also contain piezo
materials.
Musical Instruments
Instruments like electric guitars, violins, pianos and even vocal microphones use piezoelectric
sensors.
You can also use piezo sensors to amplify instruments like bass drums and cymbals. All sounds
are vibrations, and directing these vibrations into a piezo sensor allows the sensor to process
and amplify the sounds.
Electric guitars have a piezoelectric strip under the bridge that captures the vibration of the
guitar strings, allowing the sensor to process and amplify the instrument’s produced sounds.

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Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

Medical Equipment
Piezoelectric sensors in pacemakers, stethoscopes and ultrasounds are hypersensitive and allow
medical practitioners to monitor the heart rate and activity level of someone who has a
pacemaker, measure a patient’s pulse while under anesthetic and hear a baby’s heartbeat with
fetal heart monitoring. Ultrasonic medical equipment contains piezoelectric transducers,
which create sound waves that can be transferred into the body when coupled to someone’s
skin.

Smart Watches
You can also use piezoelectric sensors in smartwatches. Piezoelectric sensors can detect and
process vibrations from heartbeats and other movements to detect when people are active or
inactive. This detection is useful for health monitoring because it helps doctors acquire useful
data for patient health.
Aerospace Applications
Aerospace companies use piezoelectric pressure sensors in various applications, like measuring
turbulence, engine combustion, and various dynamic pressures. High pressures and
temperatures applied to piezoelectric materials generate an electrical charge that can be
measured without moving parts. A piezoelectric pressure sensor’s reliability makes it popular
for various aerospace applications.

PIEZO ACTUATORS
A piezoelectric actuator converts an electrical signal into a precisely controlled physical
displacement (stroke). If displacement is prevented, a useable force (blocking force) will
develop. The precise movement control afforded by piezoelectric actuators is used to finely
adjust machining tools, lenses, mirrors, or other equipment. A piezo actuator can be used to
control hydraulic valves, act as a small-volume pump or special-purpose motor, and in other
applications requiring movement or force.
What Is A Piezoelectric Actuator?
To answer the question, “What is a piezoelectric actuator?” and to learn how the device works,
it’s first helpful to understand that all actuators — from hydraulic and pneumatic to mechanical
and electric — are machine components that convert a type of signal energy into a desired
controlling motion. Think of what happens when an operator presses a button that prompts an
electric actuator to transfer the operator’s signal into rotary motion to either open or close a
valve, and you have the basics of how all actuators function.
In piezo actuators, the piezo effect is of primary use. Elementary piezoelectric materials change
dimensions when a force and/or voltage is applied. That’s why these types of actuators are
highly useful in applications that call for the precise positioning of mechanical devices — from
mirrors on satellites and telescopes to non-magnetic and miniaturized medical devices.
Plus, since piezoelectric actuators give off little heat and consume almost no power when
operating in an energized state, they’re widely used across a broad selection of industries,
including everything from automotive and defense applications to scientific instrumentation
and ultrasonic machine controls.
Piezoelectric Applications
Given its simple design, minimal moving parts, no requirement for lubrication to operate and
the high reliability characteristics, the piezoelectric actuator is used in a variety
of industrial, automotive, medical, aviation, aerospace and consumer electronics applications.
Piezo actuators are found in precision knitting machinery and braille machines. The silent drive
characteristics make piezo actuators an excellent auto focusing mechanism in microphone-

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equipped video cameras and mobile phones. Finally, since piezo actuators require no
lubrication to operate, they are used in cryogenic and vacuum environments.
Using a stack actuator, extremely fine, virtually infinite resolution is possible with very high
voltages corresponding to minute movements of expansion. A piezo actuator can operate
billions of times without wear or deterioration. Its response speed is exceptional and it is limited
only by the inertia of the object being moved and the output capability of the electronic driver.
When operating in an energized state, a piezoelectric actuator consumes virtually no power and
generates very little heat.

Bimorphs
A piezoelectric bimorph is a cantilever that is used for actuation or sensing and consists of two
active piezoelectric layers adhered together. The piezoelectric bimorph can also have a passive
layer between the two active layers acting as a supportive substrate.

In piezo actuator applications, if voltage is applied, the bimorph will bend, causing one active
layer to contract and the other to expand. This physical deformation can be used to generate
displacement.
In piezo sensor applications, the piezo bimorph generates an electrical signal as a response to
a mechanical input, such as force or pressure.
In piezo transducer applications, the piezoelectric bimorph can receive either electrical or
mechanical inputs and produce either electrical or mechanical outputs depending on the desired
results.

Applications

 Alarms
 Smoke detectors
 Keyboards
 Buzzers
 Touch input response
 Micropumps
 Valve actuation

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Nanocarbon tubes
Due to their unique small size, large specific surface area, and the number of atoms on the
surface, nanomaterials show different properties from general materials, such as small size
effect, surface effect, macroscopic quantum tunneling effect, and quantum tunneling effect
[16], which make it have a wide range of applications. The dimensional structure divides
nanomaterials into zero-dimensional, onedimensional, and two-dimensional nanomaterials.

Piezoelectric Nanotubes
Boron-Nitride is a III-V analog to graphene; it can be formed in a two dimensional honeycomb
lattice with the inequivalent sublattice sites occupied by the group III (B) and group V (N)
elements. This sublattice symmetry breaking allows for new electronic phenomena not found
in graphene or carbon nanotubes.
Although the BN bond is partially ionic, there is no net electric polarization of the BN sheet
because of its threefold symmetry. When the sheet is wrapped to form a tube, the threefold
symmetry is lifted and an electric polarization is allowed. There are two types of effects that
produce a net electric polarization of the BN nanotube. Short range (chemical) effects occur
because of perturbations to the electronic Hamiltonian due to the curvature of the tube. This
modifies the "hybridization" of the molecular orbitals and the matrix elements for hopping
between atomic sites. Global (physical) effects occur because of the requirement that the
electronic wavefunctions match continuously around the tube circumference. Interestingly, the
Berry's phase approach to the electric polarization demonstrates that the latter physical effects
completely dominate the predicted electric polarization. Because of this the electric
polarization is predicted to show a "period 3" dependence on the tube's wrapping vector, and
nearby wrappings whose structure is nearly identical in the tangent plane can exhibit widely
different electric polarizations. This is the III-V analog of the structure specific variation of
conducting and nonconducting behavior of the carbon nanotubes.

The electric polarization can be modified by any perturbation that couples to the bandgap, e.g.
an elastic mechanical strain. Thus the BN nanotubes are piezoelectric materials. The strains
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that can modulate the electric polarization depend on the tube wrapping vector. For the
armchair structure shown on the right, uniaxial strain (stretch) and bend do not linearly couple,
but tube torsion does. Thus twisting an armchair BN tube generates a voltage between its ends
and conversely, an applied voltage induces torsion.

Carbon Nanotubes Uses & Application

 Carbon nanotubes are utilized in energy storage, device modelling, automotive parts,
boat hulls, sporting goods, water filters, thin-film electronics, coatings, actuators, and
electromagnetic shields.
 Because of their large surface area, CNTs have been successfully used in pharmacy and
medicine to adsorb or conjugate a wide range of medicinal and diagnostic substances.
 CNTs have a number of unique chemical, size, optical, electrical, and structural
properties that make them appealing as drug delivery and biosensing platforms for the
treatment of a variety of diseases and noninvasive monitoring of blood levels and other
chemical properties of the human body, respectively.
 Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have unique qualities, such as high surface-to-volume ratios,
increased conductivity and strength, biocompatibility, ease of functionalization, optical
properties, and so on.

Atria Institute of Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Smart Materials & Systems BME306B

Question Bank
1. Explain the piezoelectric effect and provide examples of materials that exhibit
this phenomenon.
2. How is the piezoelectric effect used in practical applications, and what are
some common devices that leverage this property?
3. Examine the use of piezoelectric materials in energy harvesting. How can
mechanical vibrations be converted into electrical energy?
4. Explain the concept of piezoelectric transducers and their role in medical
applications, such as ultrasound imaging.
5. Discuss the role of piezoelectric sensors in smart materials. Provide examples
of applications where these sensors are beneficial.
6. Explain the mechanism behind piezoresistive behavior in semiconductors.
How does the resistance of the material change in response to mechanical stress?
7. Explain the direct and inverse piezoelectric effects.
8. Discuss the practical applications of the piezoelectric effect in everyday life.
Provide examples of devices that utilize this phenomenon.
9. Provide examples of applications where piezoelectric sensors are commonly
used. How do these sensors contribute to measuring physical quantities in various
industries?
10. Explain what bimorphs are in the context of piezoelectric materials, and how
do they function in actuation and sensor applications?

Atria Institute of Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering