Bistable Structures Research Articles

Prediction and Control of the Bi-stable Functionally Graded Composites by Temperature Gradient Field

The bi-stable cylindrical composites, which are composed of the fiber-through-thickness variation functionally graded material (FGM) subjected to a temperature gradient field, studied in the paper. The advantages of both of the FGMs’ adaptability for the temperature field variation and the bi-stability of the un-symmetric and anti-symmetric orthogonal lay-ups are combined, the presented bi-stable structure has a potential application in many fields. The thermal-induced bi-stable FGM un-symmetric and anti-symmetric orthogonal shell is studied by the finite element analysis. The different FGM lay-ups are simulated successfully by the commercial finite element software ABAQUS and its subroutines. The curved shapes, the temperature-load history and stress distributions are also given to understand this bi-stable phenomenon. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.21.4.9566

Bipolar Conductance Switching of Single Anthradithiophene Molecules.

Single molecular switches are basic device elements in organic electronics. The pentacene analogue anthradithiophene (ADT) shows a fully reversible binary switching between different adsorption conformations on a metallic surface accompanied by a charge transfer. These transitions are activated locally in single molecules in a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope . The switching induces changes between bistable orbital structures and energy level alignment at the interface. The most stable geometry, the "off" state, which all molecules adopt upon evaporation, corresponds to a short adsorption distance at which the electronic interactions of the acene rings bend the central part of the molecule toward the surface accompanied by a significant charge transfer from the metallic surface to the ADT molecules. This leads to a shift of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital down to the Fermi level (EF). In the "on" state the molecule has a flat geometry at a larger distance from the surface; consequently the interaction is weaker, resulting in a negligible charge transfer with an orbital structure resembling the highest occupied molecular orbital when imaged close to EF. The potential barrier between these two states can be overcome reversibly by injecting charge carriers locally into individual molecules. Voltage-controlled current traces show a hysteresis characteristic of a bipolar switching behavior. The interpretation is supported by first-principles calculations.

A Review on Bistable Composite Laminates for Morphing and Energy Harvesting

Bistable composite laminates have received a considerable attention due to their fabulous behavior and potential for morphing and energy harvesting. A bistable or multistable laminate is a type of composite structure that exhibits multiple stable static configurations. The characterization of unsymmetric fiber-reinforced laminated composite plates as a bistable structure is well established and quantitatively determined after about 30 years of research. As predicting cured shapes of unsymmetric composite laminates became well identified, attention was directed to the design of these structures for morphing applications. Bistable composite laminates have attracted researchers as a morphing structure because a bistable structure settles at one of its equilibrium positions without demanding continuous power to remain there. If the structure is triggered to leave an equilibrium position, it will snap or jump to the other equilibrium position. The snapthrough response is highly geometrically nonlinear. With the increased demand for broadband vibration energy harvesters, bistable composite laminates, which are able to gain large-amplitude vibrations in snapthrough motion, have recently attracted attention. This paper aims to summarize, review, and assess references and findings concerned with the response of bistable composite laminates for morphing and energy harvesting to date. It also highlights the remaining challenges and possible future research work as research in bistable composites transitions from phenomena to application.

Chaos control applied to piezoelectric vibration-based energy harvesting systems

Chaotic behavior presents intrinsic richness due to the existence of an infinity number of unstable periodic orbits (UPOs). The possibility of stabilizing these periodic patterns with a small amount of energy makes this kind of response interesting to various dynamical systems. Energy harvesting has as a goal the use of available mechanical energy by promoting a conversion into electrical energy. The combination of these two approaches may establish autonomous systems where available environmental mechanical energy can be employed for control purposes. Two different goals can be defined as priority, allowing a change between them: vibration reduction and energy harvesting enhancement. This work deals with the use of harvested energy to perform chaos control. Both control actuation and energy harvesting are induced employing piezoelectric materials, in a simultaneous way. A bistable piezomagnetoelastic structure subjected to harmonic excitations is investigated as a case study. Numerical simulations show situations where it is possible to perform chaos control using only the energy generated by the harvesting system.

Low-Frequency, Low-G MEMS Piezoelectric Energy Harvester

This paper reports the design, modeling and fabrication of a novel MEMS device for low-frequency, low-g vibration energy harvesting. The new design is based on bi-stable buckled beam structure. To implement the design at MEMS scale, we further proposed to employ residual stress in micro-fabricated thin films. With an electromechanical lumped model, the multi-layer beam could be designed to achieve bi-stability with desired frequency range and excitation amplitude. A macro-scale prototype has been built and tested to verifies the prediction of the performance enhancement of the bi-stable beam at low frequencies. A MEMS scale prototype has been fabricated and tested to verify the frequency range at low excitation amplitude. The MEMS device shows wide operating frequency range from 50Hz to 150Hz at 0.2g without external proof mass. The same device with external proof mass has lower frequency range (< 10Hz) with boosted deflection amplitude.

Energy method solution for the postbuckling response of an axially loaded bilaterally constrained beam

Bistable and multistable structures have shown great usefulness in many applications such as MEMS actuation and energy harvesting. Bistability of structures can be achieved through buckling. Confining a buckled beam between two lateral constraints allows it to buckle into higher modes as the axial load increases. This paper presents a theoretical study of the postbuckling response of a bilaterally constrained elastica subjected to gradually increased axial load. Equilibrium states are determined using an energy method. Under small deformation assumptions, the total potential energy is minimized under the defined constraints. The presented model allows for an accurate representation of the flatting behavior and the increase in the length of contact areas with the lateral constraints before the sudden snapping between equilibrium states. Mode transitions are manifested by jumps in the response curves. Previously developed models based on geometry and symmetries overestimate the required forces for higher equilibrium modes and do not match experimental observations. Results are validated with experimental force–displacement measurements under both force- and displacement-control. The kinetic energy released during buckling mode transitions is determined by a dynamic analysis.

Asymptotic expansions and numerical simulations of I-V relations via a steady state Poisson-Nernst-Planck system

A steady state Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) system is studied both analytically and numerically with particular attention on I-V relations of ion channels. Assuming the dielectric constant $\varepsilon$ is small, the PNP system can be viewed as a singularly perturbed system. Due to the special structures of the zeroth order inner and outer systems, one is able to derive more explicit expressions of higher order terms in asymptotic expansions. For the case of zero permanent charge, under the assumption of electro-neutrality at both ends of the channel, our result concerning the I-V relation for two oppositely charged ion species is that the third order correction is \textit{cubic} in $V$, and, furthermore (Theorem \ref{3rd order}), up to the third order, the cubic I-V relation has \textit{three distinct real roots} (except for a very degenerate case) which corresponds to the bi-stable structure in the FitzHugh-Nagumo simplification of the Hodgkin-Huxley model. Three numerical experiments are conducted to check the cubic-like feature of the I-V curve, study the boundary value effect on the I-V relation and investigate the permanent charge effect on the I-V curve, respectively.

Monte Carlo simulation for thermal assisted reversal process of micro-magnetic torus ring with bistable closure domain structure

Monte Carlo simulations were performed for temperature dependences of closure domain parameter for a magnetic micro-torus ring cluster under magnetic field on limited temperature regions. Simulation results show that magnetic field on tiny limited temperature region can reverse magnetic closure domain structures when the magnetic field is applied at a threshold temperature corresponding to intensity of applied magnetic field. This is one of thermally assisted switching phenomena through a self-organization process. The results show the way to find non-wasteful pairs between intensity of magnetic field and temperature region for reversing closure domain structure by temperature dependence of the fluctuation of closure domain parameter. Monte Carlo method for this simulation is very valuable to optimize the design of thermally assisted switching devices.

Non-contact magnetic driving bioinspired Venus flytrap robot based on bistable anti-symmetric CFRP structure

The Venus flytrap takes advantage of its bistability to generate rapid closure motion for capturing its prey. A bioinspired Venus flytrap robot with bistable artificial leaves is presented in this paper. Non-contact electromagnetic driving method is proposed to actuate the Venus flytrap robot’s artificial leaves, which are made of anti-symmetric carbon fiber reinforced prepreg (CFRP) cylindrical shells. Magnetic force is generated by using the electromagnet and applied on the shell’s curve edge to unbend the shell, and then the bending process transmits from one edge to the whole surface. The required magnetic force for the snap-through process of the bistable CFRP structure is determined from experimental test and compared with the result of finite element simulation. The test of the snap-through process of the Venus flytrap robot show that the Venus flytrap robot can generate a rapid snapping motion by the electromagnet actuation.

Transitional hysteresis loop and coexistence of synchronized shedding in coupled wakes

Hysteretic in-phase ↔ anti-phase exchange of vortex shedding and co-existence of reverse-synchronized bistable wake structures past two side-by-side elliptic/circular cylinders are examined through extensive numerical simulations and bifurcation analysis. Wake characteristics and synchronizations past two side-by-side cylinders have often been demarcated in terms of the gap-ratio “G” and the Reynolds number “Re.” The focus here is the “in-phase ↔ anti-phase” two-way transition of oppositely synchronized bistable shedding states. In a remarkable parallel to discontinuous shifts of Strouhal frequency (prompting growth of two distinct instability modes past a single cylinder), the present work reveals interesting in-phase ↔anti-phase transitional switching of vortex shedding past two side-by-side symmetric cylinders, as facilitated by “discontinuous jumps of combined lift-force CL,1+2,” and preceding bistable wake evolution via both of these two reverse-synchronized phases. The hysteresis loops are demarcated (for cylinders of different aspect-ratios A) through extended computations of two anti-synchronized solution branches by slowly increasing/decreasing the Re at fixed gap-ratio (G) and increasing/decreasing G minutely at a constant Re, thereby facilitating transitions and using the computed discontinuous jumps of CL,1+2. Simulations conducted with various A (0.5 ≤ A ≤ 2.0) exhibit, both in-phase and anti-phase shedding co-exist over significantly wide ranges of G-space/Re-space, and the exchange of vortex synchronization at the ends of hysteresis loop occurs through discontinuous variation of the CL,1+2. The “gap-biased” anti-phase → in-phase transition gets gradually delayed, as the cylinder aspect-ratio A is decreased. However, the “Re-biased” in-phase → anti-phase transition is advanced with the decrease of A. The tolerance width “HW” of gap-biased hysteresis loop increases fairly linearly, as A decreased over the range 1.0 ≤ A ≤ 2.0.

A bistable morphing composite using viscoelastically generated prestress

Elastically generated prestress within polymeric composites can be used to create bistable morphing structures; i.e. they can ‘snap through’ between one of two states. In this paper, a morphing bistable structure has been produced, utilising viscoelastically generated prestress. Here, polymeric fibres are subjected to a tensile (viscoelastic) creep load which is released before the fibres are moulded into a matrix. Following curing, the previously strained fibres continue to attempt viscoelastic recovery, creating compressive stresses within the matrix that are counterbalanced by residual tension in the fibres. The bistable structure consists of prestressing strips bonded to the sides of a thin, flexible resin-impregnated fibre-glass sheet. Bistability is achieved through pairs of strips orientated to give opposing cylindrical configurations within the sheet. It is envisaged that viscoelastically prestressed morphing structures may overcome the potential limitations of elastic prestressing; i.e. production flexibility and product longevity.

Bistable minimum energy structures (BiMES) for binary robotics

Bistable minimum energy structures (BiMES) are devices derived from the union of the concepts of dielectric elastomer minimum energy structures and bistable systems. This article presents this novel approach to active, elastic and bistable structures. BiMES are based on dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), which act as antagonists and provide the actuation for switching between the two equilibrium positions. A central elastic beam is the backbone of the structure and is buckled into the minimum energy configurations by the action of the two DEAs. The theory and the model of the device are presented, and also its fabrication process. BiMES are considered as fundamental units for more complex structures, which are presented and fabricated as proof of concept. Two different ways of combining the multiple units are proposed: a parallel configuration, to make a simple gripper, and a serial configuration, to generate a binary device. The possibility of using the bistable system as a continuous bender actuator, by modulating the actuation voltage of the two DEAs, was also investigated.

Modeling and experimental verification of doubly nonlinear magnet-coupled piezoelectric energy harvesting from ambient vibration

This paper presents a nonlinear doubly magnet-coupled energy harvesting system (DMEHS) which could exhibit co-bistable and monostable dynamic characteristics. Its various characteristic responses induced by the magnetic force can be conveniently obtained using the adjustable horizontal distance between two coupled harvesters in the DMEHS. In the case of appropriate relative positions, the DMEHS appears in a co-bistable structure which is different from the traditional bistable structure. Additionally, both the inclination angle of endmost magnets and the displacement perpendicular to the vibration direction are taken into account to calculate the nonlinear magnetic force in the nonlinear electromechanical equations. The numerical investigations show good agreement with experimental results with respect to the output voltage response. Each harvester without magnetic coupling is tested independently to compare with the DMEHS. Both numerical and experimental results also demonstrate the frequency bandwidth and performance enhancements by changing the horizontal distance between the two coupled harvesters.

From invasion to latency: intracellular noise and cell motility as key controls of the competition between resource-limited cellular populations.

In this paper we analyse stochastic models of the competition between two resource-limited cell populations which differ in their response to nutrient availability: the resident population exhibits a switch-like response behaviour while the invading population exhibits a bistable response. We investigate how noise in the intracellular regulatory pathways and cell motility influence the fate of the incumbent and invading populations. We focus initially on a spatially homogeneous system and study in detail the role of intracellular noise. We show that in such well-mixed systems, two distinct regimes exist: In the low (intracellular) noise limit, the invader has the ability to invade the resident population, whereas in the high noise regime competition between the two populations is found to be neutral and, in accordance with neutral evolution theory, invasion is a random event. Careful examination of the system dynamics leads us to conclude that (i) even if the invader is unable to invade, the distribution of survival times, PS(t), has a fat-tail behaviour (PS(t) ∼ t(-1)) which implies that small colonies of mutants can coexist with the resident population for arbitrarily long times, and (ii) the bistable structure of the invading population increases the stability of the latent population, thus increasing their long-term likelihood of survival, by decreasing the intensity of the noise at the population level. We also examine the effects of spatial inhomogeneity. In the low noise limit we find that cell motility is positively correlated with the aggressiveness of the invader as defined by the time the invader takes to invade the resident population: the faster the invasion, the more aggressive the invader.

A Miniature Coupled Bistable Vibration Energy Harvester

This paper reports the design and test of a miniature coupled bistable vibration energy harvester. Operation of a bistable structure largely depends on vibration amplitude rather than frequency, which makes it very promising for wideband vibration energy harvesting applications. A coupled bistable structure consists of a pair of mobile magnets that create two potential wells and thus the bistable phenomenon. It requires lower excitation to trigger bistable operation compared to conventional bistable structures. Based on previous research, this work focused on miniaturisation of the coupled bistable structure for energy harvesting application. The proposed bistable energy harvester is a combination of a Duffing's nonlinear structure and a linear assisting resonator. Experimental results show that the output spectrum of the miniature coupled bistable vibration energy harvester was the superposition of several spectra. It had a higher maximum output power and a much greater bandwidth compared to simply the Duffing's structure without the assisting resonator.

Characterization of piezoelectric material for micro thermal harvesters

This paper presents the first realizations of a novel concept for thermal energy harvesting at micro scale. The devices proposed here are based on a two-step transduction combining thermo-mechanical and piezoelectric conversion. In this contribution, we present for the first time results on micro fabricated structures with integrated piezoelectric layers, focusing mainly on the characterization of the piezoelectric material. The process flow to get a bilayered bistable structure is briefly described, highlighting the way how to control the initial deflection. The characterization of the piezoelectric thin film is presented then. The e31,f coefficient is measured in both sensor and actuator mode and is found to be equal to -0,91 C.m−2 in both configurations. This value, close to the state-of-the-art, is very promising for the future thermal harvesting applications. Finally the buckling of a structure actuated by a voltage was observed and the corresponding displacement measured by laser interferometry.

Effects of chiral dopant on electro-optical properties of nematic liquid crystal cells under in-plane switching and non-uniform vertical electric fields

The electro-optical properties of the chiral nematic liquid crystal cell, driven by in-plane switching and non-uniform vertical electric fields, are investigated. The Bragg reflection, threshold voltage, and helical configuration are significantly related with the chiral dopant concentration. Through the driving-mode switching, two bistable helical structures without holding voltages are developed. The behavior of voltage- and temperature-dependent light reflection associated with the helical structure transition is also revealed. A fast bistable switching response (~5 ms) is successfully achieved by the three-terminal-electrode architecture. Further, the proposed cell shows a display time of over 6 hr in the unplugged power state.

Active-elastic bistable minimum energy structures

The design of structures that combine the principles of minimum energy and bistable mechanisms is presented. A minimum energy configuration is achieved by the interaction of one or more elastic elements and two strips of stretched elastomer, which also operate as dielectric actuators. The system has two equilibrium states, and the actuators are used to trigger the switch from one state to the other. An analytical model, based on the approach of energy minimization, was implemented to assist the design of the geometrical parameters. A prototype shows bistability and is able to switch equilibrium state varying its bending angle from −40° to 40°.

A wideband integrated piezoelectric bistable generator: Experimental performance evaluation and potential for real environmental vibrations

Bistable generators have been proposed as potential solutions to the challenge of variable vibration frequencies. This article presents a novel mono-block design of bistable generator based on mechanical buckling effect. A bistable structure composed of four thin beams as flexible hinges, two amplified piezoelectric stacks as electromechanical springs, and a dynamic mass is fabricated. Its volume is 5.46 cm3, and it reaches a power density of 0.48 mW/cm3. The wideband and high-power energy harvesting properties are first validated using chirp excitations with an obtained bandwidth of 11 Hz (812% improvement compared with the linear equivalent case). The generator’s good performance is then further confirmed for bandlimited noise excitations and a real vibration signal from a driving car wheel.

On stability optimization of the deployable bistable compliant structures mounted in the morphing skin: Method and implementation

Morphing skin is the surface of the deployable frame which could reconfigure its shape to present optimal performance in all stages of a task for the re-entry aerospace vehicle. After many years of research effort, design concept and manufacturing methodologies of morphing skin have been developed, especially in the adoption of bistable compliant mechanism (BCM). In order to make morphing skins more stable to accommodate to the air flow and change its profile more accurately, one method on the design and optimization of stability characteristics for deployable BCMs of morphing skin is proposed in this paper. The optimization is developed by the aeroelastic formulation of the deployable BCM mounted on the morphing skin. The optimization problem is considered as a multi-objective-constraint issue and the parametric equations to get the optimal parameters are solved by the immune genetic algorithm. Besides, a case study is proposed to provide evidence that the method can come to the optimal stiffness of BCM, with which the effectiveness about the new method of design and optimization can be testified.