Macro and Microstructural Engineering of Piezoelectric Ceramics

Dimension, shape and materials' properties are the most basic characteristics of a piezoelectric ceramic transducer determining the device performance. In our studies better electromechanical performance was obtained from piezoelectric ceramic itself by creating designs based on built-in amplification mechanisms obtained through the shape and geometry of the transducer, i.e. the macroscale engineering. Piezoceramics in thin hollow shell and fiber forms were fabricated by slip casting and alginate gelation. Additionally, improving materials properties along preferred directions can be achieved through the fabrication of crystallographically textured piezoceramics, i.e. Microscale Engineering. Alginate gelation and templated grain growth was used to produce them.