UCSB Science Line
Sponge Spicules Nerve Cells Galaxy Abalone Shell Nickel Succinate X-ray Lens Lupine
UCSB Science Line
Home
How it Works
Ask a Question
Search Topics
Webcasts
Our Scientists
Science Links
Contact Information
What is the principle of piezoelectric transducers?
Question Date: 2015-02-24
Answer 1:

A transducer is a device that converts from one energy form to another. A piezoelectric transducer converts mechanical energy to electric charge, and vice versa. These materials are usually crystalline or ceramic solids, and can also be organic materials such as DNA and some proteins. The basic concept is that applying a stress (a force) to a piezoelectric material will cause it to build up an electric potential which can be measured (with a voltmeter). These materials can be useful in applications where detection of sensitive forces are desired, such as in microscopic probes and detection of sound waves.

One very common use of the piezoelectric effect is your basic quartz watch. The quartz crystal vibrates at a very precise frequency which can be used to tune the speed of the clock.

Please read more here



Click Here to return to the search form.

University of California, Santa Barbara Materials Research Laboratory National Science Foundation
This program is co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation and UCSB School-University Partnerships
Copyright © 2020 The Regents of the University of California,
All Rights Reserved.
UCSB Terms of Use