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Encyclopedia of Nanotechnology pp 1–18Cite as

Piezoelectric Effect at Nanoscale

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Synonyms

Nano-piezoelectricity

Definition

Piezoelectricity is a phenomenon of strain-induced electric polarization in certain crystals, which can be used to create a mechanical action by applying an external voltage for sensors and actuators or a mechanical straining that can produce a voltage for energy conversion.

Piezoelectricity

Piezoelectricity was discovered by Jacques and Pierre Curie during their systematic studies of the effect of pressure on the generation of electrical charge by crystals in 1880. It is a reversible physical phenomenon, as there is the direct piezoelectric effect and the reverse piezoelectric effect.

Direct piezoelectric effect is defined as: electric polarization produced by mechanical strain in crystals belonging to certain classes, the polarization being proportional to the strain and changing sign with it [1].

Reverse (or inverse) piezoelectric effect is defined as: a piezoelectric crystal becomes strained, when electrically polarized by an amount...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 771 Ferst Dr. N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA

    Zhong Lin Wang & Ying Liu

Authors
  1. Zhong Lin Wang
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  2. Ying Liu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhong Lin Wang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biomimetics (NLB²), Ohio State University Nanoprobe Lab. for Bio- & Nanotechnology, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Bharat Bhushan

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Wang, Z.L., Liu, Y. (2015). Piezoelectric Effect at Nanoscale. In: Bhushan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Nanotechnology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6178-0_273-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6178-0_273-2

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  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6178-0

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