Defence and Energy Harvesting Sectors Will Drive the Market for Piezoelectric Devices

The Piezoelectric devices market was valued at US$21.730 billion for the year 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.22%, reaching a market size of US$31.027 billion by the year 2027. 

Piezoelectric devices use the piezoelectric effect to transform pressure, temperature, acceleration, force, or shear stress into an electric charge in order to quantify these quantities. These gadgets were created using piezoceramic materials and are used in a variety of industrial industries for process management, quality assurance, and R&D. Piezoelectric transducers have advantages over other types of transducers, including higher reliability, robust design, compact size, low energy consumption, non-dependence on external force, active signal-producing components, high-frequency response, ease of use, and the ability to function even in hot conditions.

The use of medical devices and rising smartphone sales are the primary factors driving the steady growth of the global piezoelectric devices market. Additionally, the market’s expansion is anticipated to increase demand for piezoelectric devices due to factors such as an increase in the need for these devices for faster energy harvesting, modern aerospace and defence applications, and significantly rising R&D expenditures by leading businesses and cutting-edge research universities for innovative piezo solutions.

Increased military and defence spending to propel the market

Due to the growing applications of piezoelectric device-based products such as actuators, sensors, and motors for aerospace and defence applications, aerospace and defence will continue to be the largest end-use industries during the forecast period. Modern aircraft use piezoelectric actuators largely to produce undesirable vibrations in various components of the aircraft. Small helicopter noise levels have drawn a lot of attention recently. However, cutting-edge technology is also used in modern laboratory tables; high-speed motors; machine tools; and less expensive wind turbines. Additionally, non-destructive testing (NDT) and structural health surveillance of aircraft and aviation parts are preferable when using piezoelectric devices.

The demand for piezoelectric devices has also greatly expanded as a result of the government’s rising expenditures on missile guidance and defence. Pgpf.org reported that the US spent $754 billion on national defence in 2021. The Department of Defense (DoD) spent $718 billion of the total on military operations, with the remaining $36 billion going toward defense-related activities. Additionally, as space exploration has increased, so has the use of piezoelectric equipment like SONARs, sensors, and acoustic devices, which can withstand severe environments and produce precise findings while detecting even the smallest changes in their range.

In addition, other nations are on high alert following the start of confrontations between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Globally, nations are concerned that if the war spreads to more nations, its effects may be more severe. As a result, it is anticipated that most nations will continue to spend more money on bolstering their armed forces and defence. Consequently, piezoelectric components are widely used in the production of military aircraft, intelligent weaponry, energy harvesting, and navigational systems for ships and submarines, among other things. Therefore, it is anticipated that developments in the military and defence industries will increase demand for piezoelectric devices. 

Increased emphasis on energy harvesting technology to boost production and quality

Energy harvesting is the process of capturing ambient energy, storing it, and then turning it into electrical energy for usage as needed. Piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting has emerged as a preferred technology for powering meso-to microscale devices among a variety of potential energy harvesting techniques. This is accomplished by using materials and transducers that are piezoelectric because they allow for the use of a wide variety of input frequencies. They are ideal for use where it is necessary to directly power remote sensor systems or charge batteries or super capacitors. Solar panels and wind turbines are the most widely used energy harvesters.

The demand for smartwatches has grown significantly during the past several years. However, having to frequently charge a smartwatch is one of its main inconveniences. Engineers from the University of Edinburgh have created wearable mechanical devices that can be powered by motion and are self-charging. It is claimed that this technology, which makes use of piezoelectric material created by three Ph.D. students, is twice as strong and efficient as current smartwatch technology. The demand for energy harvesting technology is anticipated to rise as a result of these developments, which would be essential in the creation of sustainable wearable technology.

The demand for piezoelectric devices is anticipated to rise as energy-efficient and renewable technology become more prevalent. For instance, scientists from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have released research that outlines a wearable piezoelectric harvester that is both very flexible and robust and that is made using a straightforward hot pressing and tape casting procedure. Additionally, the piezoelectric device market is anticipated to increase along with technological improvements and rising demand for electric vehicles.

Asia-Pacific is expected to hold a major share due to increasing end-user industry applications and technological advancements

Due to growing technological breakthroughs and the expanding end-user electronics sector, the Asia-Pacific area has been estimated to have the greatest market share. Asia-Pacific is expected to have the fastest growth in the piezoelectric device market during the forecast period.  Major manufacturers of piezoelectric ceramics, crystals, and different piezoelectric devices are widely represented throughout Asia-Pacific. Together, China and Japan make up the majority of the region’s piezoelectric devices and contribute significantly to its economic growth. In addition, with China and Japan being significant producers of consumer electronics, the region is projected to have the fastest-growing market in the upcoming years. Piezoelectric materials and elements are being used in consumer electronics at an exponentially increasing rate. Additionally, the region’s rising automobile use has increased the demand for piezoelectric actuators and sensors.

Challenges in reducing the device sizes is expected to restrain the growth of Piezoelectric devices market

The use of piezoelectric devices has grown in both the electronics and healthcare sectors. The demand for piezoelectric products increased as their applications expanded to include non-invasive medical equipment, speakers, mobile devices, and sonar gadgets. Smaller device production is becoming more popular, which is great for consumers. But this poses a problem for the market for piezoelectric devices. The right materials and a suitable crystal form must be developed in order for a device design to be practical. Due to the numerous connected material properties of piezoelectric devices, material composition is crucial. If the piezoelectric crystal’s shape does not produce the proper resonance frequency, the device will not work.

Piezoelectric material is used in mobile devices with microphones and speakers to transform sound waves into signals and vice versa. Manufacturers of piezoelectric devices are faced with a challenge as consumer demand for better-sounding speakers that consume less battery power grows. In order to accurately diagnose patients and conditions, medical equipment needs to be very precise and accurate. Another challenge for device makers is the demand for smaller medical devices like hearing aids and ultrasonic scanners.