Starting from the fundamentals, this book provides a concise yet complete treatment of piezoelectric materials, an important class of smart materials which are useful as both actuators and sensors. Including case studies, the text introduces different types of dielectric materials, describes the preparation and properties of various piezoelectric materials used in device applications, and presents various engineering and medical applications of piezoelectric materials. It also discusses in detail the design and virtual prototyping of piezoelectric devices using commercially available software tools like ANSYS and PAFEC.

This book is a result of contributions of experts from international scientific community working in different aspects of piezoelectric materials and devices through original and innovative research studies. Through its 7 chapters the reader will have access to works related to the various applications of piezoelectric materials such as piezoelectric stacks in level sensors, pressure sensors, actuators for functionally graded plates, active and passive health monitoring systems, machining processes, nondestructive testing of aeronautical structures and acoustic wave velocity measurements. The text is addressed not only to researchers, but also to professional engineers, students and other experts in a variety of disciplines, both academic and industrial seeking to gain a better understanding of what has been done in the field recently, and what kind of open problems are in this area.

The book reviews our current knowledge of piezoelectric materials, including their history, developments, properties, process design, and technical applications in such areas as sensors, actuators, power sources, motors, environmental and biomedical domains. Piezoelectric materials will play a crucial role in the development of sustainable energy systems. Keywords: Piezoelectric Materials, Piezo-crystals, Nanogenerators, Phototronics, Piezoelectric Composites, Biomedical Applications, Energy Harvesting, Piezoelectric Thin Films, Piezoelectric Perovskites, Sensor Applications, Piezoelectric Ceramics, Piezoelectric Semiconductors, Piezoelectric Polymers.

Piezoelectric Materials Analyze the foundational materials of the electronics industry In recent years piezoelectric materials have become one of the world’s most important classes of functional materials. Their ability to convert between mechanical and electrical energy makes them indispensable for sensors, transducers, actuators, catalysts, and many other foundational electronic devices. As electronics industries expand at unprecedented rates, the range of applications for piezoelectric materials continues to grow. Piezoelectric Materials offers a comprehensive overview of this group of materials, its key properties, and its applications. Beginning with the fundamental science of piezoelectric phenomena, it then analyzes different the numerous different classes of piezoelectric materials and their current and future industrial functions. The result is essential for engineers and materials scientists working in any number of areas. Piezoelectric Materials readers will also find: Analysis of materials types include lead-based and lead-free piezoelectric materials, textured piezoceramics, piezoelectric thin films, and many more Detailed discussion of applications including dielectric energy storage and biomedical technology Authorship by a leading researcher of piezoelectric materials Piezoelectric Materials is ideal for materials scientists, electronic engineers, polymer chemists, solid state chemists, and any other researchers or professionals working with these key materials.

The science and technology in the area of piezoelectric ceramics are extremely progressing, especially the materials research, measurement technique, theory and applications, and furthermore, demanded to fit social technical requests such as environmental problems. While they had been concentrated on piezoelectric ceramics composed of lead-containing compositions, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and lead titanate, at the beginning because of the high piezoelectricity, recently lead water pollution by soluble PZT of our environment must be considered. Therefore, different new compositions of lead-free ceramics in order to replace PZT are needed. Until now, there have been many studies on lead-free ceramics looking for new morphotropic phase boundaries, ceramic microstructure control to realize high ceramic density, including composites and texture developments, and applications to new evaluation techniques to search for high piezoelectricity. The purpose of this book is focused on the latest reports in piezoelectric materials such as lead-free ceramics, single crystals, and thin films from viewpoints of piezoelectric materials, piezoelectric science, and piezoelectric applications.

Dynamic Fracture of Piezoelectric Materials focuses on the Boundary Integral Equation Method as an efficient computational tool. The presentation of the theoretical basis of piezoelectricity is followed by sections on fundamental solutions and the numerical realization of the boundary value problems. Two major parts of the book are devoted to the solution of problems in homogeneous and inhomogeneous solids. The book includes contributions on coupled electro-mechanical models, computational methods, its validation and the simulation results, which reveal different effects useful for engineering design and practice. The book is self-contained and well-illustrated, and it serves as a graduate-level textbook or as extra reading material for students and researchers.

This volume covers important subjects in the field of piezoelectric devices and applications with the latest research on piezoelectricity, acoustic waves, manufacturing technology, and design techniques. It includes up-to-date research and information on materials, new products, technological trends, and design methods of benefit to academics and researchers in the piezoelectric device industry. Contributors to this volume include prominent experts such as Clemens Ruppel of Epcos, Daining Fang of Tsinghua University, Tong-Yi Zhang of University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, and CS Lam of TXC Corporation. A number of papers have been dedicated to Professor Harry F Tiersten of Resselear Polytechnic Institute, who passed away in 2006, for his contributions to the fundamental theory of piezoelectricity and methods for acoustic wave device analysis.

The book provides a pedagogical approach that emphasizes the physical processes of active materials and the design and control of engineering systems. It will also be a reference text for practicing engineers who might understand the basic principles of active materials but have an interest in learning more about specific applications. The text includes a number of worked examples, design problems, and homework problems (with a solutions manual) that will be useful for both instructors and practicing engineers.

This book systematically reviews the history of lead-free piezoelectric materials, including the latest research. It also addresses a number of important issues, such as new types of materials prepared in a multitude of sizes, structural and physical properties, and potential applications for high-performance devices. Further, it examines in detail the state of the art in lead-free piezoelectric materials, focusing on the pathways to modify different structures and achieve enhanced physical properties and new functional behavior. Lastly, it discusses the prospects for potential future developments in lead-free piezoelectric materials across disciplines and for multifunctional applications. Given its breadth of coverage, the book offers a comprehensive resource for graduate students, academic researchers, development scientists, materials producers, device designers and applications engineers who are working on or are interested in advanced lead-free piezoelectric materials.