2014 Using the direct flexoelectric effect in an hybrid (homeotropic-planar) nematic cell, we have measured the bulk flexoelectric coefficient e* for two cyanobiphenyl compounds, 8CB and 8OCB. For 8CB, the flexo coefficient is comparable in sign and magnitude with that of MBBA, i.e. e* ~ + 10-4 cgs. 8OCB presents an anomalously large and negative e* ~ 5 x 10-4 cgs. The small influence of the cy...

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics is usually used as a piezoelectric material. However it has characteristics of not only piezoelectricity but also flexoelectricity. Piezoelectricity is a phenomenon that electric polarization is induced by strain, and flexoelectricity is the one that the polarization is induced by strain gradient. In this study, flexoelectricity in poled soft PZT ceramics ...

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have recently been theoretically predicted and experimentally confirmed to exhibit electromechanical coupling. Specifically, monolayer and few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) have been measured to be piezoelectric within the plane of their atoms. This work demonstrates and quantifies a nonzero out-of-plane electromechanical response of monolayer MoS2 and discuss...

Microvilli (stereocilia) projecting from the apex of hair cells in the inner ear are actively motile structures that feed energy into the vibration of the inner ear and enhance sensitivity to sound. The biophysical mechanism underlying the hair bundle motor is unknown. In this study, we examined a membrane flexoelectric origin for active movements in stereocilia and conclude that it is likely t...

The direct measurement of flexoelectric coefficients in epitaxial thin films is an unresolved problem, due to the clamping effect substrates which induces a net strain (and hence parasitic piezoelectricity) addition gradients and flexoelectricity. Herein, we propose demonstrate use van der Waals epitaxy as successful strategy for measuring intrinsic (clamping-free = films. We have made, measure...