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How to squeeze electricity out of crystals - Ashwini Bharathula

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It might sound like science fiction, but if you press on a crystal of sugar, it will actually generate its own electricity. This simple crystal can act like a tiny power source because sugar happens to be piezoelectric. Ashwini Bharathula explains how piezoelectric materials turn mechanical stress, like pressure, sound waves and other vibrations into electricity, and vice versa.

Will piezoelectric crystals respond the same way when you squish/stretch them in different directions? Or will the response vary with orientation of the crystal?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Ashwini Bharathula
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Animator Ricky Earl, Henry Chung, Noel Yenki Wong
  • Designer Nicola Coppack, James Hing, Tom Jordan
  • Composer Tom Jordan
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Pen-Pen Chen

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