Phenomenon · phenomenon:pyroelectric-effect

Pyroelectric effect

A change in temperature changes the spontaneous polarisation of a polar crystal, which releases surface charge. Only temperature change produces current, not a steady gradient.

Condensed matterfirst reported 1824

Atlas record: 7 claims reference this phenomenon — 6 established and 1 demonstrated.

Explorerelations · matrix context · routes · sources · cite

conditions: solid · ferroelectric required · transient only

7claims8enumerated routes1routes with complete-composition evidence0candidate routes not searched3cited sources

Relations

drives · 1

Temporal temperature change—drives→Pyroelectric effectestablished

the temperature of the polar material must change in time (dT/dt ≠ 0); a static spatial temperature gradient alone produces no pyroelectric current
the material must be below its Curie temperature

ΔP = p · ΔT · pyroelectric coefficient p [C/(m^2 K)]

Re-spelled in loop-3 pass 30 from the temperature-gradient row, where it had sat as an indexing compromise, onto the temporal temperature change that is its physical driver.

produces · 1

Pyroelectric effect—produces→Separated surface chargeestablished

member of · 1

Pyroelectric effect—member of→Pyroelectricestablished

implemented by · 1

Pyroelectric effect—implemented by→Pyroelectric harvesterdemonstrated

bounded by · 1

Pyroelectric effect—bounded by→Carnot limitestablished

observed in · 2

Pyroelectric effect—observed in→Lead zirconate titanate (PZT)established

Pyroelectric effect—observed in→Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)established

Matrix context

D = disequilibrium row · C = coupling family column. A cell reads the state of the atlas for that pair.

D.24 × C.04 · Temporal temperature change × Pyroelectric · Established

family: Pyroelectric (C.04)

Enumerated routes through this · 8

Pyroelectric harvester3/3 est · demonstrated
Changing magnetic flux → Magnetocaloric effect → Temporal temperature change → Pyroelectric effect → Separated surface charge → Electrical work5/5 est · extends a recorded pathway
Mechanical stress or strain → Elastocaloric effect → Temporal temperature change → Pyroelectric effect → Separated surface charge → Electrical work5/5 est · extends a recorded pathway
Changing electric field → Electrocaloric effect → Temporal temperature change → Pyroelectric effect → Separated surface charge → Electrical work5/5 est · same energy form
Temperature gradient → Thermal expansion → Mechanical stress or strain → Elastocaloric effect → Temporal temperature change → Pyroelectric effect → Separated surface charge → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Pressure gradient → Elastic deformation → Mechanical stress or strain → Elastocaloric effect → Temporal temperature change → Pyroelectric effect → Separated surface charge → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Mechanical vibration → Resonant vibration → Mechanical stress or strain → Elastocaloric effect → Temporal temperature change → Pyroelectric effect → Separated surface charge → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Mechanical vibration → Elastic deformation → Mechanical stress or strain → Elastocaloric effect → Temporal temperature change → Pyroelectric effect → Separated surface charge → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway

Cited sources · 3

[1]
S. B. Lang. Pyroelectricity: from ancient curiosity to modern imaging tool (2005)
Physics Today 58(8), 31–36 · doi:10.1063/1.2062916 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
[2]
R. W. Whatmore. Pyroelectric devices and materials (1986)
Reports on Progress in Physics 49, 1335 · doi:10.1088/0034-4885/49/12/002 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
[3]
C. R. Bowen et al.. Pyroelectric materials and devices for energy harvesting applications (2014)
Energy & Environmental Science 7, 3836–3856 · doi:10.1039/C4EE01759E · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record

Cite this entity

Physical Transformation Atlas (2026). entity phenomenon:pyroelectric-effect: Pyroelectric effect. Dataset revision rbfbfcbb70e57 (hash of the canonical data). https://physical-transformation-atlas.wldud5192.workers.dev/phenomenon/pyroelectric-effect

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