The Type of Piezoelectric Generator

There are two types of piezoelectric generators, including single layer piezoelectric generator and multilayer piezoelectric generator.

Single-Layer Piezoelectric Generators

Two common applications of piezo generators are in the push button cigarette lighters and gas BBQ grills. By using the piezoelectric effect as the theoretical basis, the manual ignition device produced by piezoelectric ceramics as medium. Through the two pieces of piezoelectric ceramics (crashing when the button is pressed) to generate high voltage current moment, used for various gas stoves.

In these applications, pressing a button causes a spring-loaded hammer to apply a mechanical force to a rod-shaped single-layer piezoelectric ceramic. As a result of the piezoelectric effect, the ceramic element produces a voltage that passes across a small spark gap causing the fuel source to ignite. Electrical energy in a rod-shaped single-layer piezo generator is released very quickly, is very high voltage, and very low current. Piezoelectric ignition systems are small and simple, long lasting and require little maintenance.

Multilayer Piezoelectric Generators

Multilayer piezo generators consist of a stack of very thin (sub-millimeter-thick) piezoelectric ceramics alternated with electrodes. The electrical energy produced by a multilayer piezo generator is of a much lower voltage than is generated by a single-layer piezo generator. On the other hand, the current produced by a multilayer generator is significantly higher than the current generated by a single-layer piezoelectric generator. Because they do not create electromagnetic interference, multilayer piezo generators are excellent solid-state batteries for electronic circuits. Due to advancements in micro-electronic systems many consumer devices have decreased in size. Smaller electronic systems require less power to operate. As a result, solid-state multilayer piezoelectric generators have become a feasible power source for some applications. Current applications for multilayer piezo generators are energy sources for munitions and wireless sensors, such as sensors that monitor tire pressure in automobiles.

Single-layer and multilayer piezo generators are used in applications where batteries or direct electrical current is not available. Recently, energy harvesting using piezoelectric energy generation has become the focus of much research. While we are very excited about the prospects of energy harvesting using piezoelectric ceramics, we do have concerns regarding the use of piezoelectric ceramics in large-scale energy harvesting.