2015/12/31 by Sana Krichen, Pradeep Sharma · 14 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Innovative Energy Harvesting Technologies #Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials #Mechanical and Optical Resonators
paper · doi:10.1115/1.4032378
The ability of certain materials to convert electrical stimuli into mechanical deformation, and vice versa, is a prized property. Not surprisingly, applications of such so-called piezoelectric materials are broad—ranging from energy harvesting to self-powered sensors. In this perspective, written in the form of question-answers, we highlight a relatively understudied electromechanical coupling called flexoelectricity that appears to have tantalizing implications in topics ranging from biophysics to the design of next-generation multifunctional nanomaterials.