What is a piezotransducer?
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by: miguelcarlos
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Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 Time: 9:40 PM
What is a piezotransducer?
A piezotransducer is also known as a piezoelectric transducer. It is a device that converts energy from one for to another form. It uses piezoelectric effect to function. Piezoelectric effect, or piezoelectricity, is a phenomenon in which positive and negative charges appear on opposite sides of some non-conductors. These non-conductors or dielectrics deform slightly under the application of an electric field. Piezotransducers are also used to convert electric signals into sound waves or other mechanical vibrations. They are also used to convert mechanical vibrations to electrical signals. It utilizes the morphological change of a crystal which occurs in voltage application. Therefore, the voltage generated by the pressure applied on the crystal is monitored. This makes the piezotransducer ideal as a converter of mechanical energy into electric potential.
Piezotransucers are highly sensitive. Because of this, it is highly useful in microphones. In microphones, it converts sound pressure into electric voltage. They are also used in non-destructive testing and other applications that monitor force such as accelerometers, motion detectors and generators and detectors of ultrasound.
Other applications of piezotransducers include coupling into air, plastics, composite materials, and other low acoustic impedance media. In these applications, they provide high efficiency and broadband performance. Applications of these include proximity sensing, non destructive evaluation, fluid flow measurement, fluid level detection, and solid/liquid separation.
Another common use of peizotransducer is in sonography. In medical sonography, the ultrasound is the broadest application so far. The ultrasound is in use in medical imaging all over the world since all pregnant women are required to undergo this procedure.
Moreover, a piezotransducer can also be used in speakers and microphones due to its high sensitivity. These applications are termed as force gauge. It is also used as a method of control for scanning tunnelling microscopy.
One more use of a piezotransducer is in the field of physics. It is used in basic physics research specifically in the study of Fermi surfaces. This where ultrasound is passed through a crystalline sample in a magnetic field.
The next use of a piezotransducer is in electronic cigarette lighters and push button igniters for gas ranges and grills. In these applications, pushing the button activates a small spring loaded hammer. After activating that, it strikes a piezoelectric material which then generates a voltage that is sufficient to cause and electric arc. This electric arc, then, jumps between the exposed electrodes of the igniters.
Piezoelectric devices have many uses because they are very reliable. They are also inexpensive means of converting electrical energy into physical motion. Moreover, they exhibit a high tolerance to environmental factors which include electromagnetic fields and humidity. Piezotransducers also commonly employ a ceramic piezoelectric element which causes the electrodes to be exposed.
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Learn more about the piezo transducer and about the piezoelectric transducer through Tech-Faq.Com.
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