Electrobending in Piezoceramics: Mechanisms and Opportunities Enabled by Defect Dipoles

Defect dipoles in piezoceramics have recently been recognized as key regulators of electromechanical behavior, giving rise to a previously unidentified phenomenon: the electrobending effect. Unlike inverse piezoelectric and inverse flexoelectric effect, electrobending effect originates from the asymmetric response of defect dipoles in surface layers under external electric fields, producing pronounced bending deformation in thin ceramic samples. This article reviews the formation and dynamic response of defect dipoles, their symmetry‐conforming behavior, and the contrasting roles of [001]‐ and [110]‐oriented defect dipoles. Further, surface‐layer defect dipole configurations, bidirectional and unidirectional electrobending models, and newly proposed metrics for quantifying bending performance are discussed. Finally, challenges and prospects for defect dipole engineering and electrobending research are outlined, emphasizing their potential to enable next‐generation lead‐free piezoelectric materials and multifunctional devices.