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
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1IKZVBBR36C3EYayNKBE2qgpb0EjjCug48sCIV3X44

https://image.slidesharecdn.com/applicationsofpiezoelectricity-150912060218-lva1-
app6891/95/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