Last Updated on May 11, 2023 by You Ling
Piezoelectric smart materials have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their unique properties and widespread applications in various industries, such as aerospace, construction, healthcare, and military. These materials can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa, enabling them to adapt and respond to changes in their environment. This article provides an overview of piezoelectric smart materials, including a brief explanation of what they are, their applications, leading manufacturers, market analysis, and industry insights. The analysis focuses on the market growth, demand, and potential opportunities for these materials in different sectors.
1、What are smart materials?
Smart materials are simply designed materials whose physical properties change according to input or stimuli. Intelligence is defined as adaptive, self-sensing, and memory. Smart materials can change some or all of their properties (configuration, color, structure, electrical characteristics, etc.), and even possibly change their functions. These substances have adaptability and belong to a category of modern materials that can detect specific pulses from the surrounding environment and display their role in response. They can also be called “intelligent,” “adaptive,” or even “responsive” because they can sense external influences and emit responses on actuators. Piezoelectric materials, shape-memory polymers, and magnetostrictive materials are some examples of this type of smart material.
2、What are piezoelectric smart materials?
Piezoelectric materials are a type of smart material capable of converting mechanical energy and electrical energy into each other, transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy, and vice versa. These materials have unique properties that make them ideal for a wide range of applications, from medical imaging and sensors to energy harvesting and actuators. The market has now formed a huge industry worth nearly 10 billion US dollars annually, with applications ranging from household electronic products such as mobile phones to aerospace, naval sonar, and high-speed trains. For half a century, the piezoelectric material industry has been dominated by high-performance lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics.
3、Who are the manufacturers of piezoelectric smart materials?
APC International Ltd. – Mackeyville, PA
- Custom Manufacturer
Boston Piezo-Optics Inc. – Bellingham, MA
- Custom Manufacturer
Columbia Research Laboratories Inc. – Woodlyn, PA
- Stock Manufacturer
Elent A / Elent Technics Ltd. – Dnipro, Ukraine
- Custom Manufacturer
Johnson Matthey Piezo Products GmbH – Redwitz, Germany
- Stock Manufacturer
- Custom Manufacturer
- Supplier/Distributor
Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH & Co. KG – Karlsruhe, Germany
- Stock Manufacturer
PI Ceramic GmbH, Sub. of Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH & Co. KG, Piezo Technology – Lederhose, Germany
- Stock Manufacturer
- Custom Manufacturer
Piezo Technologies, An Amphenol Co. – Indianapolis, IN
- Custom Manufacturer
Soitec – Bernin, France
- Custom Manufacturer
Piezoelectric Ceramics Manufacturer from China
He-shuai, China
- Stock Manufacturer
- Custom Manufacturer
- Supplier/Distributor
4、Piezoelectric smart materials market analysis
The compound annual growth rate of the global piezoelectric smart materials market is expected to exceed 3% during the forecast period (2022-2027).
The outbreak of COVID-19 led to global lockdowns, disruptions in manufacturing activities and supply chains, and production stoppages, all of which had a negative impact on the market in 2020. However, the situation began to improve in 2021-2022, which is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.
In the short term, the growing demand in the military and aerospace sectors may drive the demand for piezoelectric smart materials during the forecast period. However, the high cost of smart materials often inhibits market growth.
The growing demand for nanotechnology in smart materials is likely to provide opportunities for the studied market.
North America is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period.
5、Piezoelectric smart materials industry analysis
Fastest growth in the aerospace and defense industry
In the aerospace field, piezoelectric smart materials help guide airflow through airplane wings and maintain airflow during takeoff and landing. In addition, these materials can address common problems in aircraft, such as engine vibration, high cabin noise levels, wing icing, flow separation caused by turbulence, and control surfaces in cold conditions. According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook 2022-2041, more than 41,170 new aircraft are needed for global delivery. Over the next 20 years, single-aisle aircraft are likely to have the largest share of new deliveries (over 72%), requiring more than 30,880 aircraft. The demand for wide-body aircraft is expected to be 7,230 over the next 20 years, while the demand for cargo aircraft is expected to be 940.
Airlines are expected to replace older jet aircraft with more fuel-efficient models and expand their fleet sizes to accommodate steady growth in air travel in emerging and mature markets. The increase in aircraft deliveries is expected to increase manufacturing activity in the industry, in turn, increasing the demand for advanced materials to reduce vibration and noise, stimulating the global consumption of piezoelectric smart materials.
Furthermore, these materials are widely used as smart sensors, intelligent nanorobots, smart combat suits, and smart skin in the military and defense sectors.
Therefore, with the strong growth of the global aerospace industry, the demand for piezoelectric smart materials in the market is also expected to increase during the forecast period.
In recent years, in terms of revenue, North America has been the leading market for piezoelectric smart materials. Piezoelectric materials are a type of smart material that generates voltage when subjected to external stimuli. These characteristics lead to increased demand in the construction and aerospace industries.
According to data from the American Institute of Architects, by 2022, overall non-residential construction in the United States is expected to grow by 3.1%. Hotel construction is expected to grow by 8.8% in 2022, while office space construction will grow by 0.1%. Subsequent growth is expected to strengthen the crude steel market during the forecast period.
Additionally, in the United States, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the number of aircraft in the country’s commercial fleet was 5,882 in 2020, down 22.9% from the previous year. Moreover, the commercial fleet is expected to increase to 8,756 aircraft by 2041, with an average annual growth rate of 2%. This is expected to increase market demand for various applications in the aerospace industry.
In addition, Canada has seen significant growth in demand for piezoelectric materials in various end-user industries such as construction, healthcare, and more.
In the healthcare industry, the medical device industry is a highly diversified export-oriented industry that primarily manufactures equipment and supplies. The industry is driven by product innovation. The industry can draw on world-class innovative research being conducted at Canadian universities, research institutions, and hospitals, some of which have already been spun off into Canadian medical device companies.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mexico is one of the world’s largest consumers of U.S. agricultural products. The country imported about $28.1 billion in agricultural products in 2020. The United States is Mexico’s most important agricultural trading partner, purchasing 82% of Mexican exports and providing 69% of its imports.
Therefore, due to the above reasons, North America is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period.
6、Conclusion:
In summary, piezoelectric smart materials have proven to be valuable assets in numerous industries, with a growing demand driven by their ability to adapt and respond to changes in their environment. The global market for these materials is expected to experience steady growth during the forecast period, fueled by the strong growth of the aerospace industry, the demand for innovative solutions in the construction sector, and the increasing need for advanced materials in the healthcare and military sectors. Despite the challenges posed by the high cost of smart materials, the market is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for nanotechnology and the expansion of end-user industries. As the market continues to evolve, North America is expected to maintain its leading position, with the potential for significant growth and investment opportunities in the piezoelectric smart materials sector.
