How does a QuickPack piezoelectric actuator create motion?
Some materials exhibit what is called the piezoelectric effect, which literally means that electric charge is generated when the material is pressed (or squeezed or stretched). The reverse is also true: an applied electric field will cause a change in dimensions of the piece of material. For a positive voltage applied in the z-direction, a solid rectangular piece will expand in one direction (z) and contract in the other two (x and y); if the voltage is reversed, the piece will contract in the z-direction and expand in the x- and y-directions. This is somewhat like thermal expansion and contraction, but since electric field is used instead of temperature, a quick reaction is achieved in response to commands easily generated with electronic circuits.
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