piezoelectric crystal

/ paɪˌiːzəʊɪˈlɛktrɪk /

noun

1. a crystal, such as quartz, that produces a potential difference across its opposite faces when under mechanical stress See also piezoelectric effect

Example Sentences

This penlike device used a BBQ lighter’s piezoelectric crystal, which generates a pulse of electricity when pressure is applied to it.

From Scientific American