  The relationship between the applied elastic strain gradient and the induced
electric polarization in the alpha-phase polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films
under bending conditions has been investigated. Our experimental studies have
shown that the flexoelectric polarization is linearly proportional to the
strain gradient and the corresponding direct flexoelectric response is strong.
It is reasonable to believe that the physical mechanisms behind the
flexoelectric effects in polymers and solid dielectrics are different.
