Discovery could help lengthen lifespan of electronic devices

Globally, tens of millions of tonnes of failed electronic devices go to landfill every year. Credit: Pixabay University of Sydney researchers have made a significant discovery in the field of materials science, for the first time providing a full picture of how fatigue in ferroelectric materials occurs. Ferroelectric materials are used in many devices, including memories, capacitors, actuators and sensors. These devices are commonly used in both consumer and industrial instruments, such as computers, medical ultrasound equipment and underwater sonars. Over time, ferroelectric materials are subjected to repeated mechanical and electrical loading, leading to a progressive decrease in their functionality, ultimately resulting in failure. This process is referred to as 'ferroelectric fatigue'. It is a main cause of the failure of a range of electronic devices, with discarded electronics a leading contributor to e-waste.