Any type of material that expands with electricity?

[goleynik]

Is there any type of liquid or solid, or any material that will expand with the addition of electricity, or vice versa?

 

[berkeman]

Is there any type of liquid or solid, or any material that will expand with the addition of electricity, or vice versa?

Welcome to the PF.

Have you looked at "memory metals" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shape-memory_alloy

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[chill_factor]

piezoelectric materials. even quartz has this property and its used in crystal oscillators for electronic applications.

 

[goleynik]

I have read about the smart metals but I was looking for something that does not need to be heated.

and for the quartz how much does it actually expand when the current is applied?

 

[berkeman]

I have read about the smart metals but I was looking for something that does not need to be heated.

and for the quartz how much does it actually expand when the current is applied?

Not much: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectricity#Actuators

If you want some real expansion/displacement, how about using a magnet and a coil? That is how speakers turn electric current into displacement...

 

[goleynik]

Yea but I was really looking for some type of liquid.

Know of any?