piezoelectric

Definition: Describing material that (a) produces electricity when distorted e.g. by bending, squeezing or (b) which distorts when an electric field is applied. * A piezoelectric crystal can be cut in different ways according to the orientation of mechanical to electrical modes required. It doesn't make the juice flow, but ... The piezoelectric effect is one of the unsung, uncuddled cornerstones of modern technology: piezoelectric crystals provide the precise frequencies used as oscillators to time clocks and computers; they are used as transducers in microphones; piezoelectricity is used to power certain flash bulbs (and to light gas ovens) and piezoelectric distortion is used by most ink-jet printers to squirt the ink. Stop the squeezing and the industry will grunt to a halt.

Previous Term: picture element  Next Term: pigment