Applications of Piezoelectrics: Old and New

Piezoelectric materials convert between electrical and mechanical energy and vice versa. They can be found in many different electronic applications from gas sensors to micromotors. While piezoelectrics were first discovered in the late 1800s, scientists and engineers are still developing new applications to help advance technology. This perspective summarizes the history of piezoelectric materials and describes interesting applications of the past, present, and future. It also highlights the challenges in fundamental science and how chemists can make significant contributions to the field.