Who discovered the piezoelectric effect foundational to ultrasonic transducers?
Answer
The Curie brothers
The principle underpinning virtually all modern ultrasonic transducers is piezoelectricity. This phenomenon describes the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge when subjected to mechanical stress, and conversely, to vibrate when an electric field is applied across them. This bidirectional conversion capability is essential for both sending and receiving sound waves. The initial discovery of this specific physical effect was made by the Curie brothers, although it required decades for engineers to adapt this discovery into reliable, high-frequency emitters and receivers capable of practical application in areas like military detection systems.
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