Electric Squeeze Activity
This tabletop demonstration explores piezoelectricity, its applications and how it is being used in nanotechnology-related research. During the program, visitors interact with models of piezoelectric materials, consumer products that utilize piezoelectricity and make sparks with a piezoelectric barbeque lighter!
This program has been developed by Ander Liljeholm at the Oregon Museum of Science. The complete program guide can be viewed on the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network catalog.
Materials
- Electric Squeeze Activity Guide
- Electric Squeeze Presentation Slides
- Musical greeting card
- Quartz crystal
- Structural model of Quartz
- Structural model of Diamond
- Molecular model of a buckyball
- Barbecue lighter
- Spare barbecue ignitor mounted in black PVC tubing
- Plastic syringe
- Colored water
- Cup or small bucket
- Black tube with sparker
Training Videos
The following training video was filmed by Anders Liljeholm. It is available via YouTube.
Learn More
The activity guide provides a general background on piezoelectricity. The guide also lists a few additional links, for those who wish to learn more about this phenomenon.
Resources:
- Videos:
- Slides:
