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This section provides an overview for piezoelectric devices as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 23 piezoelectric device manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked piezoelectric device companies as of December, 2024: 1.KEMET, 2.Tokin America, Inc, 3.TDK Electronics.
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Categories Related to Piezoelectric Devices
1987~1991: Engaged in research on wire covering materials at Polymer Materials Laboratory.
1991~1997: Worked as a patent Engineer at Koike International Patent Office.
1997~2005 Worked as an intellectual property member at GE Yokogawa Medical System, currently working as a writer.
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A piezoelectric device is a passive device that uses the piezoelectric and inverse piezoelectric effects that occur in dielectric materials such as quartz and quartz to control and detect micro-operation.
Because of their simple structure that does not require gears or motors for operation, piezoelectric elements are smaller than other micro-operation mechanism elements.
Piezoelectric devices are mainly used in devices that detect and control minute movements for industrial applications.
For example, piezoelectric devices are used in vibrometers, where minute changes in force due to vibration are input to the piezoelectric devices as pressure, and the voltage generated in the piezoelectric devices under pressure is output to obtain a voltage value that is quantified as the magnitude of the vibration.
Piezoelectric drives are also used as drive systems accompanying stage movements of equipment such as microscopes and interferometers, which require precise movements.
Piezoelectric devices in such drive systems are called piezoelectric drivers or piezoelectric actuators, and multilayer actuators with multiple piezoelectric devices are also common components. In these devices, minute movements are achieved by applying minute pulse currents to the piezoelectric devices. Piezoelectric devices are suitable for situations that require high responsiveness and precise motion control.
While DC fans are often used to cool electronic devices such as PCs, cooling methods using piezoelectric devices have also been proposed.
Specifically, the inverse piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric devices is used to generate wind by vibrating a structure consisting of a piezoelectric device and a blade that generates wind.
This cooling method using piezoelectric devices produces less noise than DC fans and can be driven with less energy.
However, when the piezoelectric devices and blades are driven for long periods of time, the piezoelectric devices and blades may become disconnected, so a support plate is installed to disperse the stress on the structure.
Power generation systems using piezoelectric devices are also being developed.
For example, the Frontier Service Laboratory of the JR East Research and Development Center has been researching a "floor power generation system" and has been conducting demonstration tests at Tokyo Station since 2006.
Specifically, they are studying a system in which piezoelectric devices are laid out vertically, horizontally, and vertically like a floor, and electricity is generated by the piezoelectric effect when people walk on the floor.
The Frontier Service Laboratory of the JR East Research and Development Center estimates that the amount of electricity generated will be about 10 Wsec for the planned demonstration experiment in 2008-2009.
Thus, although the power generation capacity is not very high and the amount of electricity generated is not commensurate with the cost, and the piezoelectric devices are brittle materials with low durability. Research and development is currently being conducted by various companies and research institutes, and the theme is whether the system can generate electricity to a practical level.
Speakers using piezoelectric devices have also been developed.
The main material used in piezoelectric devices is piezoelectric ceramics. Piezoelectric materials have polarity, which is an electrical distortion inside the crystal.
Piezoelectric devices consist of a piezoelectric material sandwiched between positive and negative electrodes.
By applying voltage between the electrodes, pressure is applied to the piezoelectric material, which expands or contracts and displaces according to the magnitude of the voltage. This displacement is used as the driving force. In addition, it is also possible to detect voltage by applying pressure that deforms the piezoelectric devices in the opposite direction.
Under normal conditions, the crystal lattice in the piezoelectric body remains electrically stable by taking in ions from the atmosphere. However, when voltage is applied, the balance is easily upset and the polarity within the crystal changes, causing the crystal lattice itself to expand and contract in the direction indicated by the arrow, which is the displacement of the piezoelectric material.
In other words, the displacement of the piezoelectric material is at the level of a few microns at most due to strain deformation using the electronic polarity of the crystal lattice. The driving force of the piezoelectric element itself is generally as small as a few microns.
For this reason, a multilayer actuator consisting of multiple piezoelectric devices is used when an even larger driving force is required.
This is also based on the piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric devices. Vibrating members are placed in contact with the piezoelectric devices in the direction of expansion and contraction.
When voltage is applied to the piezoelectric devices, the piezoelectric devices expand and contract due to the piezoelectric effect, and the vibrations are transmitted to the vibrating member to reproduce sound.
TDK Corporation sells a speaker called PiezoListen™ that uses piezoelectric devices.
The basic structure consists of piezoelectric devices coated with resin film and fitted with a frame and terminals for wiring.
By using piezoelectric devices capable of high displacement, this speaker has increased output in the low frequency range and achieved output over a wide sound range.
In addition, the use of fine ceramics for the piezoelectric devices has made the speaker smaller and thinner.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Tokin America Inc., headquartered in San Jose, California, is a supplier of passive electronic components in North, South, and Central America and is a subsidiary of Tokin Corporation. Its diverse product range includes capacitors, noise countermeasure components, and sensors used in several industries, including telecommunication, automotive electronics, and digital home appliances. The company also provides specialized design support and works with several distributors within the United States, including Future Electronics, WPG Americas, and Bravo Electronics.
KEMET has a portfolio of over 1,600 patents serving the automotive, aerospace, industrial, telecommunications, computing, consumer, and medical devices. KEMETs devices provide filtering, sensing, energy storage, power conversion, and haptic actuator technology. Among these devices are capacitors, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) components, resistors, circuit protection devices, inductors, sensors, Piezoelectric devices, release, transformers, and engineering kits.
Microchip Technology Incorporated was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The company is a developer and manufacturer of control solutions for global markets including the automotive, industrial, communications, human-machine interface, and connectivity industries. The company’s products include microcontrollers, field-programmable gate array products, MOSFET and radio frequency products, and both wired and wireless communications products. The company’s services include wafer foundry and assembly services, test subcontracting manufacturing services, development tools for enabling system designers to program microcontrollers and processors, and timing system products.
Thorlabs, Inc, established in Newton, NJ in 1989, is a manufacturer of photonics equipment for research, manufacturing, and biomedical applications. Their product portfolio includes optical components, for use in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy applications, spectrometers and analyzers used for research and industrial applications, fiber optic components and photomultiplier tubes, and imaging devices that capture and measure light signals for diverse applications in scientific research. The company has sales offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, China, and Brazil.
Piezo Technologies, founded in 1967 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in piezoelectric ceramics, piezoelectric transducers, and custom ultrasonic transducer solutions. The company's product portfolio includes advanced piezoelectric ceramics for use in ultrasonic transducers, as well as custom and semi-custom high-performance ultrasonic transducers and sensors for medical and industrial applications. These products serve diverse sectors including medical imaging, power generation, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors. The company serves customers across the U.S. and holds various certifications, including ISO 9001 and ISO 13485, for its quality management system.
Piezo Kinetics (PKI), founded in 1979 and headquartered in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in piezoelectric elements and assemblies. The company’s product line includes rings, bars, cylinders, plates, and composites, serving various applications in medical, automotive, industrial manufacturing, telecommunications, and other sectors. The company can also provide specialized forms for advanced or specialty applications and manufacturing services such as product assembly, product testing, and packaging. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and serves clients across the U.S.
CTS Corporation was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois. CTS is a manufacturer and distributor of sensors, actuators, and various connectivity components to telecommunications infrastructure, information technology, and other high-speed applications such as the aerospace and medical markets. CTS operates in 3 primary market segments: Sense, Connect, and Move. The Sense market segment includes controls such as potentiometers, pedals, sensors, and switches. The Connect segment includes various types of resistors, capacitors, and frequency control products. The move segment includes piezoelectric move products, rotary actuators, and thermal products including ZIF PC board retainers and heatsinks.
Piezoelectric Products invites you to partner with their piezo experts in a collaborative engineering process to design and build a reliable and robust piezoelectric sub-system solution. Founded in 1981, Piezoelectric Products has a large multi-disciplinary engineering team with expertise in structural dynamics, mechanical design, aero-acoustics, manufacturing, embedded electronics, and software focused on using piezoceramic technology, especially in the areas of lamination bonding, flexure design, ceramic stress and fatigue criteria, thermal stability, mounting, power take-off attachments, electronic drive, testing, and evaluation. Piezoelectric Products' website, PIEZO.com, offers customers the ability to customize their needs with a Custom Product Builder, assuring all conditions are met every time.
Stanley Electric Co., Ltd is a Japanese manufacturer of electric lights established in the year 1933. Stanley Electric Co Ltd makes LED ignited products and operates under three business segments: automotive equipment, electronic components, and applied electronic products. In its automotive equipment business, Stanley Electric produces and sells LED and HID headlamps, rear combination lamps, fog lamps, and automotive and LED bulbs. In its other segments, Stanley Electric makes LEDs, infrared LED lamps, optical sensors, LCDs, subminiature lamps, backlight units for LCDs, flash units for cameras, and operation panels. The largest end markets include Japan, China and Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.
Applied Electronics Corporation, founded in 1963 and based in Kawasaki, Japan, is a manufacturer in the measurement field and of an eddy current sensor called gap sensor. Their products are ultra-small sensor and wide temperature range sensor, and long-distance measurement sensors that are waterproof, pressure proof, oil proof and so on. Additionally, they accept customized orders from customers. The company also caters to different industries such as marine machine, automobile, railway and aerospace among others. Moreover, Also, they have acquired a Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015.
THK PRECISION CO., LTD., established in 2002 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of positioning devices and force sensors, integral to nanoscale technology applications. Its product lineup includes Piezo Stage designed for positioning within a small range, offering high resolution (up to 1 nm) and swift response, Piezo Motor Stage enables nano-level positioning over considerable motion ranges with superior position reproducibility, Linear Motor Stage ensures stable, seamless positioning at variable speeds even with heavy loads, and Force Sensors for accurate measurement of varying loads. The company maintains ISO 9001 certification across its global production facilities.
TDK Electronics, established in 1935 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a developer, manufacturer of electronic components and systems. Its product portfolio spans capacitors, ferrites, and inductors, including piezo and protection devices. The company also offers sensors and sensor systems, covering temperature, pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. Furthermore, TDK provides power supplies, energy devices, magnetic heads, and more, all branded under TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics, and TDK-Lambda, catering to diverse electronic needs. The company operates about 20 development and manufacturing sites, along with a network of design, manufacturing locations, and sales offices situated in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
TAYCA Co., Ltd, established in 1919 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial chemical products. Its comprehensive product portfolio includes titanium dioxide, surfactants, sulfuric acid, as well as surface treatment products, and non-polluting anti-corrosive pigments. These chemicals are being utilized in diverse industries such as environment and energy, electrical and electronics, and medical. The company has received ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 certifications, for its quality and environmental standards.
TE Connectivity Ltd., started in 2007 and headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is a designer and manufacturer of sensor and connectivity solutions for harsh conditions. It operates three primary segments, namely transport, industrial, and communication solutions, and its product portfolio includes automotive connectors, fiber optic connectors, analog power meters, RTD sensors, and circuit breakers. It serves customers in approximately 140 countries and several industries, including aerospace, automotive, rail, IoT connectivity, and E-mobility. The company manufactures 192 billion products annually and has invested over 610 million USD in research development and engineering.
Piezo Direct was founded in 1989 and is a manufacturer and supplier of custom piezoelectric components based in Burlingame, California, United States. The company manufactures various piezoelectric products, such as piezoelectric atomizers, strips, discs, rings, and multilayer stack piezo actuators. Various industries have used and applied the products such as medical, communications, optics, automotive, and commercial. The company offers custom piezoelectric requests according to the customers' specification entirely under NDA quotes.
Kyocera Corporation was incorporated in 1946 in Kyoto, Japan as Kyoto Ceramics, but the name was later shortened to Kyocera. Kyocera is a multinational manufacturer and distributor of consumer products as well as industrial components including ceramic and electronic components used in the semiconductor, wireless communications, electronics, and wireless communications markets. Kyocera’s consumer products line includes smartphones and kitchenware such as ceramic knives, cookware, and drinkware. Ceramics are used in semiconductors, solar photovoltaic modules, as well as cutting tools. Kyocera’s electronics cameras, LCDs, medical products, and more.
Audiowell Electronics Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer and supplier of sensor products and components that was established in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, in 1999. The company’s products include piezoelectric transducers for converting electrical energy, piezoelectric actuators for exerting precise and controlled movements from mechanical vibrations generated by transducers, and ultrasonic sensors for measuring physical parameters such as distance or flow using ultrasonic waves. The company’s products are mainly used in industrial manufacturing operations, such as in the automotive, aerospace, and smart home sectors.
Auer Signal GmbH, founded in 1910 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria, is a signaling device and technology manufacturer and supplier. The company's products include the White Line signaling device range, which features a minimalistic and functional design for use in the pharmaceutical industry and laboratories, as well as explosion-proof audio signaling equipment used in oil and gas processing facilities. The company specializes in the development, design, and production of future-proof tower lights.
APC International was founded in 1986, located in Mackeyville, USA and it is a manufacturer of piezoelectric ceramics and piezo devices. The company manufactures buzzers, air transducers, composite materials, stack actuators, piezo discs, rings, plates, and cylinders, ultrasonic power transducers, nebulizers, amplifiers, shear mode plates, disc benders, solder kits, and textbooks. Additionally, the company provides services in product design and consultation. It is a supplier and distributor of piezoelectric ceramics and devices to both domestic and international companies. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KEMET |
12.5%
|
| 2 | Tokin America, Inc |
11.4%
|
| 3 | TDK Electronics |
8.0%
|
| 4 | Microchip Technology Inc. |
7.5%
|
| 5 | Piezo Technologies |
7.3%
|
| 6 | Thorlabs, Inc |
6.5%
|
| 7 | Piezo Kinetics, Inc. |
5.6%
|
| 8 | PIEZO |
5.2%
|
| 9 | KYOCERA Corporation |
4.1%
|
| 10 | Piezo Direct |
3.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the piezoelectric device page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
8 | 50.0% |
|
Japan
|
8 | 50.0% |
77 products found
77 products
Kazuki Research Institute
430+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
Very Fast Response
"Piezo film sheet" is a piezoelectric element made from plastic with a piezoelectric effect. PVDF <polyphotized vinyliden> P (VDF-TRFE) <Fushinate...
6 models listed
Kazuki Research Institute
420+ people viewing
Last viewed: 10 hours ago
Very Fast Response
"Piezo film sheet" is a piezoelectric element made from plastic with a piezoelectric effect. PVDF <polyphotized vinyliden> P (VDF-TRFE) <Fushinate...
4 models listed
Kazuki Research Institute
470+ people viewing
Last viewed: 11 hours ago
Very Fast Response
"Piezo film sheet" is a piezoelectric element made from plastic with a piezoelectric effect. PVDF <polyphotized vinyliden> P (VDF-TRFE) <Fushinate...
3 models listed
Kazuki Research Institute
310+ people viewing
Last viewed: 9 hours ago
Very Fast Response
"Piezo film sheet" is a piezoelectric element made from plastic with a piezoelectric effect. PVDF <polyphotized vinyliden> P (VDF-TRFE) <Fushinate...
4 models listed
CUI Japan
910+ people viewing
Last viewed: 2 hours ago
Cui Devices, which is ideal for vibration detection or feedback applications, comes with a leading line for implementing simple and reliable design...
10 models listed
Cons Technology Co., Ltd.
230+ people viewing
Last viewed: 12 hours ago
Standard Response
It can be used in various fields, including the adoption of a crystal that can be supported up to 5kΩ, a liquid viscosity measurement, metal corros...
PI Japan Co., Ltd.
520+ people viewing
Last viewed: 8 hours ago
Standard Response
Rapid availability of specified versions ■Features ・Piezo materials tailored to the application ・Full surface contact electrode ・Can be deliver...
10 models listed
PI Japan Co., Ltd.
310+ people viewing
Last viewed: 7 hours ago
Standard Response
■Features ・UHV compatible up to 10 -9hPa ・For cryogenic environments ・Extremely reliable: >10 9 cycles ・Picometer resolution ・μs response time...
4 models listed
PI Japan Co., Ltd.
220+ people viewing
Last viewed: 19 hours ago
Standard Response
High dynamics operation at low loads ■Features ・Radial and axial displacement ・Subnanometer resolution ・Ideal for OEM applications ・Wide range...
3 models listed
PI Japan Co., Ltd.
460+ people viewing
Last viewed: 8 hours ago
Standard Response
High dynamics operation at low loads ■Features ・Radial and axial displacement ・Subnanometer resolution ・Ideal for OEM applications ・Wide range...
6 models listed
Mechano Transformer Co., Ltd.
600+ people viewing
Last viewed: 19 hours ago
■Thin piezo actuator/piezo sensor, standard product for MFC P1, F1 and S1 types ・Macro fiber composite (MFC) is an actuator or sensor that is not ...
10 models listed
Mechano Transformer Co., Ltd.
330+ people viewing
Last viewed: 5 hours ago
■Thin piezo actuator/piezo sensor, MFC S1 Type with sensor ・Macro fiber composite (MFC) is an actuator or sensor that is not only thin but also fl...
Mechano Transformer Co., Ltd.
370+ people viewing
Last viewed: 7 hours ago
■MFC F1 Type with thin piezo actuator/piezo sensor, piezo ceramic arranged at 45 degrees ・Macro fiber composite (MFC) is an actuator or sensor tha...
2 models listed
Mechano Transformer Co., Ltd.
460+ people viewing
Last viewed: 8 hours ago
■Thin piezo actuator/piezo sensor, MFC P2 and P3 type standard product ・Macro fiber composite (MFC) is an actuator or sensor that is not only thin...
10 models listed
Kyocera Corporation
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
A piezo element (piezoelectric element) is a device that has unique properties such as being able to expand and contract when voltage is applied to...
3 models listed
