Piezoelectric transducers have numerous applications in a wide range of sensing and actuation applications. Such a variety has resulted in continuous research into the design and development of these transducers, including but not limited to their geometry, material and configuration. Among these, cylindrical-shaped piezoelectric PZT transducers with superior features are suitable for various sensor or actuator applications. However, despite their strong potential, they have not been thoroughly investigated and fully established. The aim of this paper is to shed light on various cylindrical piezoelectric PZT transducers, their applications and design configurations. Based on the latest literature, different design configurations such as stepped-thickness cylindrical transducers and their potential application areas will be elaborated on to propose future research trends for introducing new configurations that meet the requirements for biomedical applications, the food industry, as well as other industrial fields.
Keywords: actuation; biomedical transducers; cylindrical transducers; food industry transducers; piezoelectric PZT transducers; sensing; stepped-thickness transducers.