Lecture10:Instrumentation 1

Piezoelectric Effect
 Discovered in 1880 by Pierre Curie in quartz crystals.
 The greek word “piezein”, which means “to press”
 Appearance of an electric potential across certain
faces of a crystal when it is subjected to mechanical
pressure
 Examples --- Quartz, Barium titanate, tourmaline

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 The effect is explained by the displacement of ions
in crystals

 When the crystal is compressed, the ions in each

unit cell are displaced, causing the electric
polarization of the unit cell.

 Because of the regularity of crystalline structure,

these effects accumulate, causing the appearance
of an electric potential difference between certain
faces of the crystal.

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• Quartz crystals (Silicon dioxide, SiO2) is one of the
most stable piezoelectric materials

• The larger circles represent silicon atoms, while the

smaller ones represent oxygen

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 Grey- test structure.
 Red- piezoelectric crystals
 Blue- Sensor housing
 The black electrode is where the charge from the crystals
accumulates before it is conditioned by the yellow, micro-
circuit.
 pressure sensors utilize a diaphragm to collect pressure,
which is simply force applied over an area.

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The relationship between displacement (x)
and force (F) is
1
x= F
k
• where k = stiffness of crystal is large
typically = 2×109 N/m

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• Piezoelectric sensors for measuring pressure,
force, and acceleration may be modeled by the
classical second-order differential equation
∆x 1/ k
=
∆F 1 2 2ξ
s + s +1
2
ωn ωn

• ωn = 2πfn is large typically fn = 10 to 100kHz

and ξ is small, typically ξ ≈ 0.01.

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 The deformation of crystal results in crystal
acquiring net charge q proportional to x:
K
q = Kx = F = dF
k

 d=K/k coulombs/N, charge sensitivity to force F,

2.3×10-12 coulombs/N

 Electrical current is proportional to force F

 Does not require power supply and the output

voltage is within 1 to 30 mV

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Quartz is preferred because:

Temperature resistance up to 930°F

Very high rigidity, high linearity, and negligible

hysteresis

Almost constant sensitivity over a wide temperature

range

Material stress limit of ~20,000 psi

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Typical Application-Combustion
Monitoring
 Pressures developed during the
combustion process is
continuously measured by
sensors mounted on the
cylinder heads

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Pros and Cons
 Have a high Stiffness value
and produce a high output
with very little strain.
 Ideal for rugged use.
 Excellent linearity over a
wide amplitude.
 Ideal for continuous online
condition monitoring
smart systems.
Lecture10:Instrumentation
 Can be used only for
dynamic pressure sensing
as in case of static sensing
the signals will decay away.
 Operation over long cables
may affect frequency
response and introduce
noise and distortion, the
cables need to be
protected.
12
Figure 1. The direct piezoelectric effect.

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 Figure 2. The converse piezoelectric effect.

Conversely, when a piezoelectric crystal is placed in an

electric field, or when charges are applied by external
means to its faces, the crystal exhibits strain, i.e. the
dimensions of the crystal change.
When the direction of the applied electric field is reversed,
the direction of the resulting strain is reversed.
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Sensor and Actuator
 Transducers convert one form of energy to another.
 Piezo actuators convert electrical energy to
mechanical energy. This is why they are referred to
as "motors" (often linear motors).
 Piezo sensors convert mechanical energy into
electrical energy. This is why they are referred to as
"generators". In most cases, the same element can
be used to perform either task.

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Key Properties
• The ability to produce a voltage output in response
to an applied stress
• The ability to produce a strain output (or
deformation) in response to an applied voltage.

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 Piezoelectric materials are used in
electromechanical devices.
 In the case of a microphone transducer, sound of a
particular frequency results in a strain in the
material, which in turn induces an electric field.
 Similarly in speakers, a voltage input into the
piezoelectric material can be converted into a
mechanical strain, such as in a speaker transducer.

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 Applications

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Accelerometer

For the measurement of vibration in

aerospace applications, for example,
because of their excellent stability and high
sensitivity

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Blood Pressure Sensor

The Arterial Pressure Transducer (APT) is a

piezoelectric transducer that provides fast, accurate
blood pressure readings.

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Impact sensor

Impact sensors use piezoceramic material to detect and

measure impact forces in applications as varied as coin
validation and firmness testing of fruit.

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Piezoelectric motor

Piezeoelectric motors are driven by ultrasonic

vibrations created from the piezoelectric transducer.

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 Piezoelectric drill

A novel drive mechanism, which transfers ultrasonic vibrations of a

piezoelectric actuator into larger oscillations of a free-flying mass is
the central point of interest during approaches in understanding the
USDC: the free-mass impact on the drill bit creates a stress pulse at
the drill tip/rock interface causing fracture in the rock.

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