While it is too soon to say if bismuth ferrite - based substances can replace lead entirely, there is potential, and the researchers are now working on figuring out which variables to tweak to maximize the film's
piezoelectric potential.
The researchers are now trying to determine which factors — substrate type, film thickness or crystal composition and position — influence the film's
piezoelectric potential the most, Zeches says.
Not exact matches
But their
potential, if their
piezoelectric properties get a significant boost, could go far beyond these first - generation applications.