Researchers from the University of Buffalo (UB) have developed a unique method for 3D printing ferroelectric materials, that is materials that can have their polarization switched through the use of electric fields.

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With results published in the paper “ A 3D-printed molecular ferroelectric metamaterial ”

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in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , the study yields interesting possibilities for metamaterials and electronic devices.

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Before we can get into the paper itself, we’ll need a little background on ferroelectricity. Just as some materials are naturally ferromagnetic, exhibiting magnetic capabilities, other materials are ferroelectric, meaning that they exhibit electrical polarization. They are pyroelectric and piezoelectric. While most ferroelectric materials do not contain iron, despite the “ferro” prefix, the magnitude and direction of their electrical polarization can be changed in response to changes in temperature, pressure or electric fields. This makes them ideal for specific electronic or biomedical applications, such […]

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