ThePiezoelectric Element

Diagnostic Medical Sonography has been used since the late 1950s.

Piezoelectricity discovered in the 1880s by the Curies using natural quartz

This effect was named "piezoelectricity" after the Greek piezein, which means to squeeze or press.

History Of Ultrasound

Pierre & Jacques Curie

Although as early as the 18th century, crystals of certain minerals were known to generate electrical charge when heated (which also became known as pyroelectricity) it was two brothers, Pierre and Jacques Curie who actually came to develop the actual "Piezoelectricty" used yet today.

What is the Piezoelectric Effect?

The principle of converting energy by applying pressure to a crystal.

When an electric voltage is applied to a transducer crystal, the crystal gets

excited and is deformed.

Piezoelectric Transducers

The conversion of electrical pulses to mechanical vibrations and the

conversion of returned mechanical vibrations back into electrical energy is

the basis for ultrasonic testing. The active element is the heart of the

transducer as it converts the electrical energy to acoustic energy, and vice

versa.

Ultrasound Transducers & Piezoelectric Effect

Electric energy is converted into ultrasound energy through the transducer. Based on the pulse-

echo principle, transducers convert:

- Electricity into sound = Pulse.- Sound into electricity = Echo.