High-Power Piezoelectrics and Loss Mechanisms

This textbook introduces the theoretical background of piezoelectrics, electromechanial phenomenology, loss mechanisms, practical materials, device designs, drive and characterization techniques, typical applications, and looks forward to the future perspectives in this field.

Kenji Uchino, one of the pioneers in piezoelectric actuators and electro-optic displays, is the Director of International Center for Actuators and Transducers (ICAT) and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering, also currently a Distinguished Honors Faculty at Schreyer Honors College at the Pennsylvania State University. He has been a university professor for 45 years so far, including 18 years in Japanese universities. He has also been a company executive (president or vice president) for 21 years in four companies, most recently the Founder and Senior Vice President of Micromechatronics Inc., a spin-off company from the above ICAT, where he was elaborating to commercialize the ICAT-invented piezo-actuators and transducers.

1. Background of High-Power Piezoelectrics. 2. Foundations of Piezoelectrics. 3. Fundamentals of Losses. 4.  Piezoelectric Loss Phenomenology. 5. Equivalent Circuits with Piezo Losses. 6. Heat Generation in Piezoelectrics. 7. High-Power Piezoelectric Characterization System. 8. Drive Schemes of Piezoelectric Transducers. 9. Loss Mechanisms in Piezoelectrics. 10. Practical High-Power Piezoelectric Devices. 11. Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives. Appendix: Answers to "Check Point." Index.