piezoelectric

Definition

Refers to a material's property of generating an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress, or conversely, changing shape when an electric field is applied.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'piezein', meaning 'to press' or 'to squeeze', combined with 'electric'. It was coined in the late 19th century to describe this specific physical phenomenon.

In the news

In this article, piezoelectric crystals were utilized in early bioacoustics as a method for detecting ultrasound to study the high-frequency sounds of birds, crickets, and bats.

Worm munch matters: the new acoustic ecology of the soil

Aeon

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