By : Inspenet, Nov 23, 2022
Ferroelectrics are a class of materials that exhibit spontaneous electrical polarization when an external electrical charge is applied. This causes spontaneous electrical polarization when the positive and negative charges of materials are directed to different poles.
These materials also have piezoelectric properties, which means that the material generates an electrical charge under applied mechanical force. The piezoelectric property allows these materials to produce electricity from energy such as heat, motion, or even noise, that might otherwise go to waste. Ferroelectrics have the potential to be alternatives to carbon-based energy, such as harnessing energy from waste heat.
Additionally, ferroelectric materials are especially useful for data storage and memory, as they can remain in a polarized state without requiring additional power, making them attractive for data storage and low-power electronics. They are also used in applications such as switches, major medical devices such as ultrasound and heart rate monitors, energy storage, and actuators.
Nasim Alem, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the study, said: “We would love to design a piezoelectric material that does not have the drawbacks of current materials. And right now, the lead in all of these materials is a huge disadvantage because lead is dangerous. We hope that our study can result in a suitable candidate for a better piezoelectric system.”
To develop a path to such a lead-free material with strong piezoelectric properties, the research team worked with calcium manganate, Ca3Mn2O7 (CMO). CMO is a novel improper hybrid ferroelectric material with some interesting properties.
Photo: ShutterStock
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