Metal-Ceramic Composite Transducer, the "Moonie"

A new type of metal-ceramic composite transducer, the "moonie,' has been developed by sandwiching a poled lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic between two specially designed metal end caps. Piezoelectric coefficients an order of magnitude larger than PZT itself are obtained. The metal-ceramic composites are being developed as fish finders, hydrophones, actuators, and transducers with integrated sensing and actuating capabilities. This paper describes the moonie principle, optimization of the moonie design using finite element analysis, and the performance of the device for several different applications.