Piezoelectric Lighter Accelerometer

This Lighter Accelerometer hack by Bardlund demonstrates piezoelectric properties.

“Piezoelectricity is the ability of crystals and certain ceramic materials to generate a voltage in response to applied mechanical stress. Piezoelectricity was discovered by Pierre Curie and the word is derived from the Greek piezein, which means to squeeze or press. The piezoelectric effect is reversible in that piezoelectric crystals, when subjected to an externally applied voltage, can change shape by a small amount (for example, deformation of about 0.1% of the original dimension in lead zirconate titanate). The effect finds useful applications such as the production and detection of sound, generation of high voltages, electronic frequency generation, microbalances, and ultra fine focusing of optical assemblies.”