Europe unites to deliver novel piezoelectric devices
Piezoelectric devices are widely used as sensors, transducers, actuators or energy-saving devices for medical diagnostics and therapy, industrial measurements and transportation. However, classical piezoelectric materials cannot meet the demands of all applications, necessitating research into new materials and structures. Understanding the phenomena which govern piezoelectric materials and structures was the subject of the EU-funded project ‘Multifunctional and integrated piezoelectric devices’ (MIND). This Network of Excellence (NoE) worked to bring together research teams in the field to create a European institute on piezoelectric materials, structures and devices. Among the project’s scientific objectives was to combine the properties of piezoelectric structures with those of multifunctional devices such as multiple sensors or intelligent structures in order to obtain new or improved devices. To achieve this, multidisciplinary approaches were employed from chemistry and process engineering to nanotechnology. Project partners investigated the phenomena in piezoelectric materials and optimised their properties for various applications. The MIND network managed to integrate human resources and equipment, conduct research into novel piezoelectric structures and disseminate the expertise in many groups throughout Europe. Project deliverables are expected to enhance our knowledge of piezoelectric phenomena and improve existing devices.
