Piezoelectric product

In this activity students will work in groups to investigate how Piezoelectric materials can be used in a variety of different ways. As the development element of the project, students will propose an innovative application for the Piezoelectric effect.

This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in design & technology (D&T). The lesson can be accompanied by Aesthetics and design: colour and feelings and Piezoelectric crystal.

Activity: A research project to develop a new piezoelectric product

Using our Piezoelectric research project brief, students will be tasked with a series of questions that investigate the fundamentals of the Piezoelectric effect and LED technology. They then must analyse existing products and systems that use Piezoelectric components before developing a product design proposal of their own.

What is the Piezoelectric effect?

Certain materials (mainly crystals) generate an electrical charge when compressed or deformed (think "squeeze" from the Greek word "piezo"). This charge produces a voltage, although the voltage is short-lived. In devices like smoke alarms, rapid voltage pulses applied to a piezoelectric material cause it to vibrate. These vibrations generate the sound waves we perceive as the alarm's noise. It works in reverse too! Applying a voltage to these materials makes them flex or change shape.

To help explain the piezoelectric effect, including its history, we have a downloadable piezoelectric handout.

The engineering context

The engineers behind the Watt Nightclub in Rotterdam turn the energy created by clubbers on the dancefloor into power for the lighting.  There’s even a giant battery to monitor the energy and encourage the crowd to dance even more. Their work demonstrates that doing your bit for the environment doesn’t have to be boring!

Suggested learning outcomes

This lesson will give students a detailed understand of the Piezoelectric effect. They’ll also understand how Piezoelectric materials function as transducers, converting one form of energy to another.

Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources

The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download (include videos!), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation below.

Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.