Any type of material that expands with electricity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the exploration of materials that expand in response to electricity, including both liquids and solids. Participants inquire about various types of materials, their properties, and applications, with a focus on those that do not require heating to expand.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks if there are any materials that expand with the addition of electricity.
  • Another participant mentions "memory metals" as a potential example of materials that can change shape in response to electrical input.
  • A third participant introduces piezoelectric materials, noting that quartz exhibits this property and is used in electronic applications.
  • Some participants express interest in materials that do not require heating, specifically questioning the expansion characteristics of quartz when current is applied.
  • There is a suggestion that using a magnet and a coil could produce real displacement, as seen in speakers, which convert electric current into movement.
  • One participant specifically seeks information about liquid materials that exhibit expansion with electricity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on specific materials that expand with electricity, and multiple competing views and inquiries remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the extent of expansion in piezoelectric materials like quartz and seek clarification on the properties of liquid materials that may exhibit similar behavior.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in material science, electrical engineering, and applications of piezoelectric and shape-memory materials may find this discussion relevant.

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

.
 
piezoelectric materials. even quartz has this property and its used in crystal oscillators for electronic applications.
 
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?
 
goleynik said:
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...
 
Yea but I was really looking for some type of liquid.

Know of any?
 

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