Publication

Piezoelectricity Enhancement Investigation of PVDF Micro-Springs Fabricated by Melt Electrowriting

Arnaud Bertsch
2026

Abstract

This work demonstrates the controllable fabrication of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric microsprings by melt electrowriting (MEW) with tunable geometrical parameters. By precisely coordinating transverse and rotational motions, the crossing angle and spiral topology of the micro-spring can be programmed with high fidelity. Systematic experiments further reveal that geometry and processing speed strongly affect the electroactive phase fraction of PVDF fibers, which ranged from $\sim 37 \%$ to $\sim 61 \%$ , depending on processing parameters. These results highlight a new pathway for optimizing piezoelectricity in PVDF-based complex 3D microstructures through structural programming rather than post-processing treatments.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/f6c5fd55-aa0c-4d94-be5e-134e5b645fa0

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Arnaud Bertsch
2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/f6c5fd55-aa0c-4d94-be5e-134e5b645fa0

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Piezoelectricity

Piezoelectricity (ˌpiːzoʊ-,_ˌpiːtsoʊ-,_paɪˌiːzoʊ-, piˌeɪzoʊ-,_piˌeɪtsoʊ-) is the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials—such as crystals, certain ceramics, and biological matter such as bone, DNA, and various proteins—in response to applied mechanical stress. The word piezoelectricity means electricity resulting from pressure and latent heat. It is derived (an ancient source of electric current). The piezoelectric effect results from the linear electromechanical interaction between the mechanical and electrical states in crystalline materials with no inversion symmetry.

Polyvinylidene fluoride

Polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is a highly non-reactive thermoplastic fluoropolymer produced by the polymerization of vinylidene difluoride. Its chemical formula is (C2H2F2)n. PVDF is a specialty plastic used in applications requiring the highest purity, as well as resistance to solvents, acids and hydrocarbons. PVDF has low density 1.78 g/cm3 in comparison to other fluoropolymers, like polytetrafluoroethylene. It is available in the form of piping products, sheet, tubing, films, plate and an insulator for premium wire.

Pyroelectricity

Pyroelectricity (from the two Greek words pyr meaning fire, and electricity) is a property of certain crystals which are naturally electrically polarized and as a result contain large electric fields. Pyroelectricity can be described as the ability of certain materials to generate a temporary voltage when they are heated or cooled. The change in temperature modifies the positions of the atoms slightly within the crystal structure, so that the polarization of the material changes.

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Piezoelectricity Enhancement Investigation of PVDF Micro-Springs Fabricated by Melt Electrowriting

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