A polymer has been shown to offer 10 times the piezoelectric effect of crystals and ceramics, making it potentially suitable for hundreds of everyday uses, according to researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Until now, scientists did not believe that non-polar polymers were capable of exhibiting any piezoelectric effect, which occurs only in non-conductive materials. This research, however, shows up to 10 times the measured electro-active response as compared to the "classic" piezoelectric materials, like crystals and ceramics.

"We observed this effect when two different polymer molecules like polystyrene and rubber are coupled as two blocks in a di-block copolymer," said Volker Urban, a member of the Department of Energy lab's Neutron Scattering Science Division.

Researchers expect that with further study, this discovery could change the field of electro-active devices, including sensors, actuators, energy storage devices, power sources, and biomedical devices.

Visit the Oak Ridge National Laboratory  for more information.

Also: Read about a planar rotary piezoelectric motor suitable for small flight instruments.


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