Flexoelectricity

Flexoelectricity is a phenomenon in which an electric polarization is induced in a material as a result of a spatial gradient of strain. In simpler terms, it refers to the generation of electrical charge in response to mechanical deformation, particularly when that deformation varies over space rather than being uniform. This effect is observed in certain dielectric materials, including some ceramics and polymers, and is distinct from the more widely known piezoelectric effect, where electrical polarization occurs in response to uniform mechanical stress.