Piezoelectric Materials
AimsBefore you startIntroductionThe piezoelectric dipole momentPolarisationAtomic basis of non-spontaneously polarised piezoelectricsSpontaneously polarised piezoelectrics (on the atomic scale)Spontaneously polarised piezoelectrics (on the macro scale)DepolarisationApplications of piezoelectric materialsPZTSummaryQuestionsGoing furtherTLP creditsTLP contentsShow all contentViewing and downloading resourcesAbout the TLPsTerms of useFeedbackCredits Print this page
PreviousNext
Introduction
The direct piezoelectric effect was originally discovered in 1880 by Jacques and Pierre Curie. It did not come into widespread use until the first world war, when quartz was used in SONAR. This was replaced in the second world war by Barium Titanate, and later by lead-based piezoelectrics that are in widespread use today.