Piezoelectric effect

An effect whereby an electric field (voltage) is generated if a material is deformed (the direct piezoelectric effect) or whereby a material deforms if an electric field is applied (the inverse piezoelectric effect). These effects were discovered by Jacques and Pierre Curie.

Piezoelectric materials may be natural (e.g., quartz) or man made (e.g., piezoelectric ceramic).

Contrast with magnetostrictive.