WSURF Case 812
Displacement Amplification of Piezoelectric Transducers
WSU researchers have developed a novel design which improves the performance of piezoelectric transducers. Laminated piezoelectric transducers are useful for acoustic transduction, fluid pumping, and power generation, among many applications.
The newly developed transducer design can induce large increases (at least 4X) in the displacement amplitude of a piezoelectric diaphragm per unit supplied voltage. This phenomenon directly increases the acoustic pressure (the loudness) produced by a piezoelectric diaphragm when used as a sound source. Reversely, this effect translates into high sensitivity of the diaphragm when used as a receiving transducer, or microphone.
This novel approach can significantly increase the sensitivity of a piezoelectric diaphragm when used as an electroacoustic transducer. Power consumption for such a transducer is potentially much lower than competing electromagnetic technology, with no electric coil to dissipate energy. Electromagnetic speakers are currently used in small-scale devices, such as cellular telephones. Application of power-saving speaker technology in applications like cell phones has potential to increase battery life.
Future Applications
- Cell phones
- PC & small electronics speakers, microphones
- Medical ultrasound devices
- Sonar devices
IP Status
This technology is patent-pending and available for licensing.
For more information about this technology please contact WSURF:
1610 NE Eastgate Blvd, Suite 650
Pullman, WA 99164
Phone: (509) 335-5526
Fax: (509) 335-7237
wsurf@wsu.edu
