Inventors:
L. Eric Cross - State College PA, US
Wenyi Zhu - State College PA, US
Nan Li - State College PA, US
John Y. Fu - State College PA, US
Baojin Chu - State College PA, US
Assignee:
The Penn State Research Foundation - University Park PA
International Classification:
H01L 41/08
Abstract:
An example flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus provides an electrical response to an applied force, and/or an actuation in response to an applied electric field, that originates from the flexoelectric properties of a component. For example, shaped forms within the apparatus may be configured to yield a stress gradient on application of the force, and the stress gradient induces the flexoelectric signal. A flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus can be substituted for a conventional piezoelectric apparatus, but does not require the use of a piezoelectric material. Instead, the response of the apparatus is due to the generation of stress gradients and/or field gradients.