Piezoelectric Materials

Piezoelectric materials are discussed in this chapter in the context of comprehensive energy systems. Thermopiezoelectricity is first defined and modeled as the interaction between mechanical, thermal, and electrical fields in certain media. This phenomenon reduces to the well-known effect of piezoelectricity if the thermal field is neglected or does not exist. Piezomagnetism, on the other hand, is the phenomenon coupling the mechanical and magnetic fields. Due to their special characteristics, piezoelectric materials in particular are used as sensors and actuators in different fields, and recently in energy harvesting for the micro-electromechanical systems. Three cases are provided to illustrate the sensing, actuation and energy conversion capabilities of piezoelectric and piezomagnetic materials.