Piezoelectric Magic
One
of nature's wonders, piezoelectricity
is the phenomenon of
electricity produced by the squeezing or stretching of
certain materials.
Piezoelectric
materials are predominantly crystals and ceramics, often
abundant and economical. Quartz is the most common and well
known. First applied in the invention of sonar, the
piezoelectric effect is at the heart of many modern
technologies, such as radio, cell phones, quartz watches,
phonogragh needles and the sparking of disposable lighters.
Massive Power Potential
Voltage produced by piezoelectrics is
proportional to pressure applied. Five hundred pounds of
pressure applied to one cubic centimeter of quartz can
produce over 12,500 volts.
In a gas grill starter, the popping noise you hear is a
little spring-loaded hammer hitting a crystal
and generating thousands of volts across the faces of the
crystal.
(from howstuffworks.com)
Wikipedia article
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