Piezoceramics could make highly sensitive laboratory products

Laboratory products with the ability to sense very tiny oscillations in materials could be created through better understanding of piezoceramics, one of a number of 'smart materials' currently being researched.

The Fraunhofer Adaptronics Alliance is currently developing piezoceramics as a means of monitoring structures from within - such as notifying controllers if the oscillations within a bridge change in a way that indicates damage.

Alternatively, the material may be used to generate electricity from vibrations in car chassis, removing not only the unwanted juddering sensation but also the associated noise that is left behind when using rubber dampeners.

With applications also spanning the electronics and mechanical engineering disciplines, the materials could be set to play a greater role in laboratory products for measuring or manipulating vibration in the years to come.

The alliance is part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft research network, which coordinates studies conducted throughout Europe for rapid, economically applicable outcomes.