Electrostrictive materials

Electrostrictive materials are materials that change shape or size when an electric field is applied, due to the alignment of their internal electrical properties. Unlike piezoelectric materials, which generate voltage when deformed, electrostrictive materials respond with deformation proportional to the square of the electric field. This means their shape change is reversible and can be precisely controlled, making them useful in sensors, actuators, and precision positioning devices. The effect arises from the material's inherent ability to redistribute its internal electric charges under an electric field, resulting in mechanical deformation without requiring permanent polarization.