Piezoelectric Materials- Global Technology Developments (Technical Insights):

Piezoelectric Materials- Global Technology Developments (Technical Insights)

Published Date: March 2006

Published By: Frost & Sullivan

Page Count: 115

Order Code: R1-4816

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Description

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Research Overview

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Piezoelectric materials and devices-Global Technology Developments provides an overview of emerging technologies in the field of piezoelectric materials and related devices, along with key drivers, restraints, and analysis of trends witnessed in this industry. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: Piezoelectric materials such as piezoceramics, piezocomposites, piezopolymers and piezoelectric crystals, as well as piezoelectric devices.

Market Overview

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

By application:

Chemicals Materials & Food
Automation & Electronics

By technologies:

Piezoceramics, Piezocomposites, Piezopolymers and piezoelectric crystals
Piezoelectric devices

Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research:

Piezoelectricity:Piezoelectricity refers to the coupling between a material's mechanical and electrical behaviors. The basic principle behind piezoelectricity is an asymmetry in the unit cell of the materials. On this scale, piezoelectricity results from a nonuniform charge distribution within a crystal's unit cells.
Direct Piezoelectric Effect:When a force is applied to a piezoelectric material, surface charges are induced by the dielectric displacement, and therefore an electric field is built up. Electrodes transform this into electric voltage and if these electrodes are shorted, the surface charges balance out by a current. In other words, direct effect refers to the conversion of mechanical forces from pressure, strain, or acceleration into an electrical potential.
Indirect Piezoelectric Effect:The converse of the direct piezoelectric effect is known as the indirect or inverse piezoelectric effect. That is, when an electric field acts on a piezoelectric material or structure it becomes distorted. The inverse effect deals with the conversion of an electrical potential into mechanical motion. In practice, this effect is used in static as well as dynamic operation.

Market Overview

Increasing Awareness and Expanding Application Drive Adoption

While the piezoelectric effect has been known to science for over 125 years, there has been a tremendous amount of research and advancement related to this sector in the last few years. Piezoelectric materials presently find application in devices ranging from hydrospace to aerospace and with the increasing awareness of their benefits in the development and exploitation of smart materials and structures; industry participants forecast strong growth for these materials. In most cases, applications within automotive and consumer electronics present the best opportunities, and these apart, there are numerous medical applications that show great promise, particularly for piezoelectric and sensor-suited materials. Going forward, the market for piezoelectric materials is expected to show considerable growth, not only due to the strong performance in existing applications, but also because of the increasing numbers of novel applications (particularly for actuators) in automotive, aerospace, and communications.

Importantly, the development of technologies and new piezoelectric materials and devices is driven by a number of key factors. These include concern over the use of materials such as lead, specific needs of customers and end users of the technology, the emergence of 'hot' new applications, and the need for energy autonomous solutions. "R&D in the piezoelectric field is largely focused on the development of lead-free alternatives and Toyota Central Labs, Japan, has been conducting extensive research on lead-free piezoelectric materials," explains the analyst of this research service. "However, the major challenge for researchers undertaking such projects has been the poor performance of lead-free materials relative to PZT and other lead-based ceramics."

Novel Applications Drive Technology

Although the piezoelectric properties of PZT ceramics have been known for almost 60 years, piezoceramic device manufacturers are fast exploring and experimenting with ideas and possibilities for new applications. Hot new applications are driving the development of new products, of new materials with particular properties, and at the same time, of the technology needed to manufacture them. Material manufacturers, of late, have found it particularly fruitful to work closely with device manufacturers for the development of materials that cater to the needs of specific applications. A few notable applications that have been in the spotlight in recent times include new piezoelectric fiber-based energy harvesters for use in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), piezoelectric active fiber composites that offer solutions for structural morphing, piezoelectric

micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) capable of very high energy and power densities at microscales and ‘nanosprings’ that could be a major step toward a new system of nanostructures. Amidst these positive developments, the important technology challenges that exist in the development of piezoelectric materials and devices include inferior dielectric and piezoelectric properties of materials, narrow temperature range of PZT, unfavorable effect of high coefficient of thermal expansion, and fabrication of PZT-based wafers. "One key restraint in the development of technology in this sector could be the uncertainty that exists with regard to regulatory measures," says the analyst. "Nevertheless, a number of researchers and key market participants in the corporate sector have been continuously working towards addressing these concerns."

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