Piezoresistance is a phenomenon in materials science and physics where the electrical resistance of a material changes in response to applied mechanical stress or strain. This change in resistance occurs due to the deformation of the material's crystal lattice structure under mechanical stress, which alters the flow of electric charge carriers (electrons or holes) through the material.
In materials exhibiting piezoresistance, the electrical resistance can either increase or decrease in response to mechanical deformation, depending on the specific characteristics of the material. Piezoresistive materials are commonly used in various sensor applications, such as pressure sensors, force sensors, and strain gauges, where they can convert mechanical signals into electrical signals for measurement and analysis.
Piezoresistive materials often exhibit linear or nonlinear relationships between applied stress or strain and the resulting change in resistance. The sensitivity of piezoresistive materials, defined as the change in resistance per unit change in stress or strain, can vary depending on factors such as material composition, crystal structure, and processing techniques.
Piezoresistance is a fundamental property of certain materials, and its understanding is essential for the design and optimization of piezoresistive sensors and devices used in engineering, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and other fields.