The Piezoelectric Effect

S I M P L I F I E D: O N E M I N U T E I D E A S

Imagine powering barbeque lighter using a crystal. What would you do? We might think of it as an impossible task, but in fact, crystals can generate electricity. This is part of the piezoelectric effect.

Written and designed by Celine Lityo

S I M P L I F I E D: O N E M I N U T E I D E A S Piezoelectric materials have the special ability to convert the abundant mechanical stress and vibrations around us into electrical energy. Examples of piezoelectric materials are crystals like quartz, ceramics like Zinc oxide, and even biological matter like the DNA, sugar and bones. These materials have the ability to generate potential difference from simple contact and slight vibrations.

One common trait of piezoelectric materials are their asymmetric structures. Take a look of the example of quartz:

Without stress, the quartz is neutral. The dipoles cancel out.

When compression is applied, the molecule now has a net positive charge and a net negative charge on the other, when connected to wires or any electrical system, there is potential system. The stronger the force, the more the electricity.

First discovered in 1880 by brothers Pierre and Paul-Jacques Curie, this effect hasn’t really been used in serious applications until the ultrasound in the world war. Piezoelectric materials are used in automated home systems, barbeque lighters, sensors.

Step on these tiles, and they light up for a few seconds

Press on this piezoelectric sensor and generate electricity The insides of a quartz clock, number 5 is the quartz crystal oscillator Written and designed by Celine Lityo

S I M P L I F I E D: O N E M I N U T E I D E A S https://www.britannica.com/science/piezoelectricity https://www.explainthatstuff.com/piezoelectricity.html https://taobabe.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/radioactivity-piezoelectric_effect.jpg?w=891&h=540 https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Pzu6vXSXbqCVueah5KByYmJpKql68bu9Ef4jLpJ5ke1VMWXs4 W15TEREkpeeKi0xrWb76-wJ4_kl2XoqQbTyjQJxsDH0ZumYHPc8fwlDPeoT1IKZVBBR36C3EYayNKBE2qgpb0EjjCug48sCIV3X44 https://image.slidesharecdn.com/applicationsofpiezoelectricity-150912060218-lva1app6891/95/applications-of-piezoelectricity-20-638.jpg?cb=1442037881 https://pm1.narvii.com/6751/c5662422d8b6716f0cec5a742e923d5e08130f46v2_hq.jpg

Video Resources: How to squeeze electricity out of crystals- TedEd Piezoelectricity- why hitting crystals make electricity- Steve Mould

Written and designed by Celine Lityo