The term "piezoelectric device" actually refers to a range of applications so wide that it would be impossible to cover completely. Here, we'd like to introduce two of our piezoelectric products. Multilayer Piezoelectric Actuators Piezoelectric actuators feature outstanding characteristics that cannot be provided by hydraulic pressure, air pressure, or electromagnetic approaches: a response time of 0.01 milliseconds; precision movement of 0.01 microns; low energy consumption; and a generated force of 3 kilograms per square millimeter. These characteristics are significantly superior to other technologies. We use full surface electrode technology to produce multilayer piezoelectric actuators consisting of 200 to 300 layers of alternating thin piezoelectric ceramic and electrode layers. Full surface electrodes, as the name indicates, are electrodes that completely cover the ceramic layer. This structure allows piezoelectric ceramics and full surface electrodes to be layered and built into large blocks, which can then be cut to the size and shape needed, and made into an actuator with the application of an electrode. This enables the creation of small, 0.6 mm elements and cylindrical, tubular, and ring shapes unique to NEC TOKIN. With such flexibility, piezoelectric components are usable in small spaces and applications requiring unusual component shapes. Piezoelectric actuators have typically enjoyed wide use in semiconductor production and industrial devices requiring precision control. However, in recent years, the use of piezoelectric actuators in digital cameras and camera-equipped cell phones has grown rapidly. Driven by a focus on advanced functionality, the digital camera market has augmented the number of pixels in order to achieve improved resolution, resulting in an increase in compact products with zoom capabilities of 10x and greater. This invariably has led to a need for a stabilizing feature that prevents the blurring caused by hand movement. Piezoelectric actuators provide stabilizing compensation, as well as auto-focus lens drives and zoom features for various uses. With their low power consumption, compact size, and high-speed precision motion, piezoelectric actuators are being used in an ever-growing number of fields outside of conventional usage arenas.