Piezoelectric Polymer Films for Application in Monitoring Devices

A piezoelectric material produces an electrical signal when subjected to a mechanical stress. Traditional examples of this effect have been demonstrated by certain ceramic materials and inorganic crystals. Recently, certain organic polymers, when properly treated (by both orientation and polarization), have exhibited this phenomenon. The purpose of our research in piezoelectric polymers is to prepare and characterize organic films for evaluation as transducer elements in devices, such as microphones, accelerometers, strain gages, and medical sensors.