

“It shocked the hell out of us to see that,” Blanchard says. The strength of the effect the researchers observed was directly proportional to the force applied. The team found that two different room-temperature ionic liquids each generated electricity when a piston squeezed them within a cylinder. “They are often relatively viscous-think about them like motor oil, or maple syrup,” says Gary Blanchard, one of the authors of the study and a professor of chemistry at Michigan State University, in East Lansing.īlanchard says the team was conducting standard experiments designed to better understand the basic properties of liquid-state salts (also known as ionic liquids). In comparison, table salt melts at roughly 800 ✬. These fluids are salts-compounds that are each made of both a positively charged cation and a negatively charged anion-that are liquid at unusually low temperatures. The researchers experimented with ionic liquids. “Electrically controlled optics are feasible, just based on what we know now.” -Gary Blanchard, Michigan State University They detailed their findings in a study online 9 March in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. Now scientists have for the first time discovered piezoelectric liquids. Until now, all known piezoelectric materials were solid.

The effect has since found a wide range of applications, including cellphone speakers, inkjet printers, ultrasound imaging, sonar equipment, pressure sensors, acoustic guitar pickups, and diesel fuel injectors. Piezoelectricity was first discovered in 1880. However, much remains unknown about how they work, and therefore what they may be capable of. The generally environmentally friendly nature of these materials suggests they may find many applications beyond standard piezoelectric compounds, such as novel, electrically controlled optics and hydraulics. Other faceplate materials for piezo switches include aluminum, glass and plastic, each of which offers its own benefits.Scientists have discovered the first known piezoelectric liquids, which are able to convert mechanical force to electric charge, and vice versa.

It’s sleek, strong and resistant to rust. There are different the faceplate materials available for piezo switches. All piezo switches are sealed, so you can clean them without damaging them. Spraying a cleaning product onto a piezo switch won’t damage it. Thanks to their sealed design, however, you can clean a piezo switch with traditional cleaning products. All switches will inevitably gather dust and dirt. This makes them an attractive choice for wet and humid environments. Piezo switches feature a sealed design that prevents moisture from reaching their circuits. With piezo switches, the circuits are protected from moisture. They can be used in wet and humid environments without succumbing to moisture damage. Therefore, they are more likely to experience premature failure than their piezo switch counterparts.Īnother advantage of piezo switches is moisture protection. Mechanical switches, for instance, are exposed to wear and tear during each key press. Other types of switches tend to have a shorter lifespan. It’s not uncommon for piezo switches to last for millions or even tens of millions of key presses. With their touch-based method of operation, piezo switches are durable.
