INTRODUCTION:

In 1880 Jacques and Pierre Curie discovered

an unusual characteristic of certain crystalline materials .When
subjected to mechanical stress the crystals became electrically
polarized .This phenomenon was termed Piezoelectricity .The
name has its origin from Greek word Piezein which means to
press or to squeeze. Quartz, Rochelle salt, tourmaline are some
crystals which exhibit piezoelectricity. Piezoelectricity finds
applications in a number of fields like in actuators, sensors,
transformers, ultrasonic transducers etc.

Piezoelectricity and its inverse

Piezoelectricity is the appearance of electric
field or potential across certain type of crystals when subjected
to tensile or compressive stresses. The piezoelectric effect is
reversible .If a crystal is polarized by electric field then a strain is
produced that is its dimensions change. This is termed as
inverse piezoelectricity .The deformation of about 0.1% of
original dimension in piezocrystals finds useful applications such
as in production and detection of sound, electronic frequency
generation, microbalance.1 cm3 of quartz
with 2kN of applied force on it can produce a voltage of 2500
volts.
Piezoelectricity is direction sensitive that is tensile and
compressive forces produce voltages of opposite polarity.

Piezoelectric crystals

Of the thirty two crystals classes twenty one are non

centrosymetric and of these twenty exhibit piezoelectricity.
Piezo electric crystals classes: 1, 2, m, 222, mm2, 4,-4,
422,4mm.
Piezo crystals can be broadly classified into two types: a)
Natural b) Synthetic.
Natural crystals:-Quartz, Rochelle salt, Ceramics A&B
The ceramic materials are poly crystalline in nature. They are
made up of Sodium Titanate.
Synthetic group:-
Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate,lithium sulphate,dipotassium
tartarate,potassium dihydrogen phosphate,lithium niobate.
Single crustals of natural or manmade materials exhibit
desirable piezoelectric properties.Materials used to fabricate
single-crystal piezoelectric elements include lithium
niobate(LiNbO3), Lithium Tetraborate(Li2B4O7) and quartz
single crystal PMN-PT and PZM-PT elements exhibit ten times
the strain of comparable poly crystalline Lead-Zirconate-Titanate
elements.
Relaxor materials are also being used for piezoelectric materials.
Lead magnesium niobate,lead nickel niobate are currently being
studied among the most studied relaxor materials.

How are piezoelectric ceramics made?

.
A traditional piezoelectric ceramic is a mass of perovskite
crystals, each consisting of a small, tetravalent metal ion, usually
titanium or zirconium, in a lattice of larger, divalent metal ions,
usually lead or barium, and O2- ions(fig1.1) .Under conditions
that confer tetragonal or rhombohedral symmetry on the crystals,
each crystal has a dipole moment (1.1b).

To prepare a piezoelectric ceramic, fine powders of the

component metal oxides are mixed in specific proportions, then
heated to form a uniform powder. The powder is mixed with an
organic binder and is formed into structural elements having the
desired shape (discs, rods, plates, etc.). The elements are fired
according to a specific time and temperature program, during
which the powder particles sinter and the material attains a
dense crystalline structure. The elements are cooled, then
shaped or trimmed to specifications, and electrodes are applied
to the appropriate surfaces.

Above a critical temperature, the Curie point, each perovskite

crystal in the fired ceramic element exhibits a simple cubic
symmetry with no dipole moment (Figure 1.1a). At temperatures
below the Curie point, however, each crystal has tetragonal or
rhombohedral symmetry and a dipole moment (Figure 1.1b).
Adjoining dipoles form regions of local alignment called domains.
The alignment gives a net dipole moment to the domain, and
thus a net polarization. The direction of polarization among
neighboring domains is random, however, so the ceramic
element has no overall polarization (Figure 1.2a).

The domains in a ceramic element are aligned by exposing the

element to a strong, direct current electric field, usually at a
temperature slightly below the Curie point (Figure 1.2b). Through
this polarizing (poling) treatment, domains most nearly aligned
with the electric field expand at the expense of domains that are
not aligned with the field, and the element lengthens in the
direction of the field. When the electric field is removed most of
the dipoles are locked into a configuration of near alignment
(Figure 1.2c). The element now has a permanent polarization,
the remanent polarization, and is permanently elongated.

Analogous to corresponding characteristics of ferromagnetic

materials, a poled ferroelectric material exhibits hysteresis.
Figure 1.3 shows a typical hysteresis curve created by applying
an electric field to a piezoelectric
Ceramic element until maximum polarization, Ps, is attained,
reducing the field to zero to determine the remanent polarization,
Pr, reversing the field to attain a negative maximum polarization
and negative remanent polarization, and re-reversing the field to
restore the positive remanent polarization. The tracing below the
hysteresis curve plots the relative change in the dimension of the
ceramic element along the direction of polarization,
corresponding to the change in the electric field. The relative
increase / decrease in the dimension parallel to the direction of
the electric field is accompanied by a corresponding, but
approximately 50% smaller, relative decrease / increase in the
dimension perpendicular to the electric field.

Figure 1.3. Effects of Electric Field (E) on Polarization (P) and

Corresponding Elongation / Contraction of a Ceramic Element

What can piezoelectric ceramics do?

Mechanical compression or tension on a poled piezoelectric

ceramic element changes the dipole moment, creating a voltage.
Compression along the direction of polarization, or tension
perpendicular to the direction of polarization, generates voltage
of the same polarity as the poling voltage (Figure 1.4b). Tension
along the direction of polarization, or compression perpendicular
to the direction of polarization, generates a voltage with polarity
opposite that of the poling voltage (Figure 1.4c). These actions
are generator actions -- the ceramic element converts the
mechanical energy of compression or tension into electrical
energy. This behavior is used in fuel-igniting devices, solid state
batteries, force-sensing devices, and other products. Values for
compressive stress and the voltage (or field strength) generated
by applying stress to a piezoelectric ceramic element are linearly
proportional up to a material-specific stress. The same is true for
applied voltage and generated strain.
If a voltage of the same polarity as the poling voltage is applied
to a ceramic element, in the direction of the poling voltage, the
element will lengthen and its diameter will become smaller
(Figure 1.4d). If a voltage of polarity opposite that of the poling
voltage is applied, the element will become shorter and broader
(Figure 1.4e). If an alternating voltage is applied, the element will
lengthen and shorten cyclically, at the frequency of the applied
voltage. This is motor action -- electrical energy is converted into
mechanical energy. The principle is adapted to piezoelectric
motors, sound or ultrasound generating devices, and many other
products.

Generator action is used in fuel-igniting devices, solid state

batteries, and other products; motor action is adapted to
piezoelectric motors, sound or ultrasonic generating devices.

Note: In a piezoelectric crystal the positive and negative charges

are separated but symmetrically distributed. So crystal is
electrically neutral. When a mechanical stress is applied
symmetry is disturbed and the charge asymmetry generates a
voltage across the material.
Properties of piezoelectric crystals:

1. Charge Sensitivity (d):

It is defined as the ratio of charge induced to force applied. It is

expressed in coulombs per Newton.

d=Q/F

Eg:-The charge sensitivity of quartz is 2 pC/N

2. Voltage sensitivity (q):

It is defined as the ratio of electric field applied to the stress

produced. It is expressed as Volt-meter per Newton.

g=E/P

Eg: - The voltage sensitivity of quartz is 50*10 -3 Vm/N

3. Stability - Most properties of a piezoelectric ceramic element

erode gradually, in a logarithmic relationship with time after
polarization. Exact rates of aging depend on the composition of
the ceramic element and the manufacturing process used to
prepare it. Mishandling the element by exceeding its electrical,
mechanical, or thermal limitations can accelerate this inherent
process.

4. Electrical Limitations - Exposure to a strong electric field, of

polarity opposite that of the polarizing field, will depolarize a
piezoelectric material. The degree of depolarization depends on
the grade of material, the exposure time, the temperature, and
other factors, but fields of 200-500 V / mm or greater typically
have a significant depolarizing effect. An alternating current will
have a depolarizing effect during each half cycle in which polarity
is opposite that of the polarizing field.
Mechanical Limitations Mechanical stress sufficient to disturb the
orientation of the domains in a piezoelectric material can destroy
the alignment of the dipoles. Like susceptibility to electrical
depolarization, the ability to withstand mechanical stress differs
among the various grades and brands of piezoelectric materials.

5. Thermal Limitations - If a piezoelectric ceramic material is

heated to its Curie point, the domains will become disordered
and the material will be depolarized. The recommended upper
operating temperature for a ceramic usually is approximately
half-way between 0°C and the Curie point. Within the
recommended operating temperature range, temperature-
associated changes in the orientation of the domains are
reversible. On the other hand, these changes can create charge
displacements and electric fields. Also, sudden temperature
fluctuations can generate relatively high voltages, capable of
depolarizing the ceramic element. A capacitor can be
incorporated into the system to accept the superfluous electrical
energy.

For a particular ceramic material, the pyroelectric charge

constant - the change in polarity for a given change in
temperature - and the pyroelectric field strength constant - the
change in electric field for a given change in temperature - are
indicators of the vulnerability of the material to pyroelectric
effects. A high piezoelectric charge constant: pyroelectric charge
constant ratio or piezoelectric voltage constant: pyroelectric field
strength constant ratio indicates good resistance to pyroelectric
effects.

Note: Quartz is the most stable piezoelectric material .However

its output is quite small .On the other hand Rochelle salt
provides the highest output but it can be worked over a limited
humidity range and has to be protected against moisture .The
highest temperature is limited to 450 C.

Applications of piezoelectricity

Piezoelectric crystals because of their small size, low power

consumption ,absence of electromagnetic waves find
applications in wide range of fields.

One of the first practical application for piezoelectric devices

was sonar, first developed during World War I. In France in
1917, Paul Langevin (whose development now bears his name)
and his coworkers developed an ultrasonic submarine detector.
The detector consisted of a transducer, made of thin quartz
crystals carefully glued between two steel plates, and a
hydrophone to detect the returned echo. By emitting a high-
frequency chirp from the transducer, and measuring the amount
of time it takes to hear an echo from the sound waves bouncing
off an object, one can calculate the distance to that object.

The use of piezoelectricity in sonar, and the success of that

project, created intense development interest in piezoelectric
devices. Over the next few decades, new piezoelectric materials
and new applications for those materials were explored and
developed.Some of these applications are

1)Piezoelectric Motors

2)Piezo Generators

3)Actuators

4)Ultrasonic Transducers

5)Piezo Transformers

6)Other Applications
PIEZOMOTORS

A piezoelectric motor or piezo motor is a type of motor based

upon the change in shape of a piezoelectric material when an
electric field is applied..Piezomotor is commonly known under
the names of Piezowalk motors or Inchworth motors.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Piezoelectric motors use a piezoelectric ceramic element to

produce ultrasonic vibrations of an appropriate type in a stator
structure. The elliptical movements of the stator are converted
into the movement of a slider pressed into frictional contact with
the stator. The consequent movement may either be rotational or
linear depending on the design of the structure. Linear
piezoelectric motors typically offer one degree of freedom, such
as in linear stages. However, these devices can be combined to
provide more complex positioning factors. Rotating piezoelectric
motors are commonly used in sub-micrometric positioning
devices. Large mechanical torque can be achieved by combining
several of these rotational units.

OPERATION OF PIEZOMOTOR AS STEPPER MOTOR

Current piezoelectric motors are fundamentally stepping motors,

with each step comprising either two or three actions, based on
the locking type.

1.Use of three types of crystals

The most common type of piezoelectric motor uses three groups

of crystals: two which are Locking and one Motive, permanently
connected to either the motor's casing or stator (not both) and
sandwiched between the other two, which provides the motion.
2.Locking Mechanism

The non-powered behaviour of a piezoelectric motor is one of

two options: Normally Locked or Normally Free. When no
power is being applied to a Normally Locked motor, the spindle
or carriage (for rotary or linear types, repectively) will not move
under external force. For a Normally Free motor, the spindle or
carriage will move freely under external force; However, if both
locking groups are powered at rest, a Normally Free motor will
resist external force without providing any motive force.

A combination of mechanical latches and crystals could be used,

but this would restrict the maximum stepping rate of the motor

3.Stepping Action

Stepping Actions

Fig. 1: Stepping stages of Normally Free motor

Regardless of locking type, piezoelectric motors – both linear

and rotary – use the same mechanism to provide movement.

First, one group of locking crystals is activated – this gives one

locked side and one unlocked side of the 'sandwich'.

Next, the motive crystal group is triggered and held – the

expansion of this group moves the unlocked locking group along
the motor path. This is the only stage where motor movement
takes place.

Then the locking group triggered in stage one is released (in

Normally Locking motors, the other is triggered). Then the
motive group is released, retracting the 'trailing' locking group.
Finally, both locking groups are returned to their default states.

Other Designs

Single Action

Piezo ratchet stepping motor (designed by Cataclysm)

Very simple single-action stepping motors can be made with

piezoelectric crystals. For example, with a hard and rigid rotor-
spindle coated with a thin layer of a softer material (like a
polyurethane rubber), a series of angled piezoelectric
transducers can be arranged. When one group of transducers is
triggered, the rotor will be pushed around one step. This design
is not capable of such small or precise steps as more complex
designs, but can reach higher speeds and are cheaper to
manufacture.
SQUIGGLE MOTORS

The SQUIGGLE motor is a revolutionary linear actuator that sets

a new benchmark for small size and high performance. The
patented ultrasonic motor creates high force and speed with only
a few parts. It replaces complex electromagnetic gearhead
motors which have hundreds of parts.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Piezo actuators change shape when electrically excited. A

SQUIGGLE motor consists of several piezoelectric ceramic
actuators attached to a threaded nut, with a mating threaded
screw inside.
Applying power to the actuators creates ultrasonic vibrations,
causing the nut to vibrate in an orbit - similar to a person’s hips in
a “Hula Hoop.”
The rotating nut turns the threaded screw, creating a smooth in-
and-out linear motion. The speed and position of the threaded
screw can be precisely controlled, and the screw holds its
position when the power is turned off. This piezoelectric motor
has no parasitic drag, no backlash, and very high stiffness.
Applications of Squiggle Motors
1.In MRI Systems

The SQUIGGLE motor generates no magnetic fields, is vacuum

compatible, and can be made from non-ferrous metals. This
makes it ideal for use in MRI, scanning electron microscopy and
focused ion microscopy applications. They can operate in and
around MRI systems without affecting image quality or motor
performance

2.In Drug Delivery System

They are used in drug delivery system due to high precision.

3.In Mobile Phone Cameras

These motors are small and robust enough to drive autofocus

and optical zoom lens in mobile phone cameras.