Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices and methods for
generating electricity, transforming voltages and generating motion using
one or more piezoelectric elements operably coupled to one or more
non-piezoelectric resonating elements. In one embodiment, a
non-piezoelectric resonating element is configured to oscillate and
dissipate mechanical energy into a piezoelectric element, which converts
a portion of such mechanical energy into electricity and therefore acts
as a generator. In another embodiment, a piezoelectric element is
configured to drive one or more mechanical elements operably coupled to
the one or more non-piezoelectric resonating elements, and therefore acts
as a motor. In still another embodiment, a piezoelectric element is
operably coupled to a non-piezoelectric resonating element to form an
electrical transformer. The mechanical properties of the
non-piezoelectric resonating elements are typically selected to permit
relatively high permissible stress and strain in comparison to the
corresponding piezoelectric elements to which they are operably coupled
or attached.