Piezoelectric System Research Articles

Piezoelectric deicing system for aeronautics: Extensional mode actuator and power supply

AbstractRecent research shows a growing interest in low‐power avionic deicing systems, in particular, those based on piezoelectric actuators for their energy efficiency. The system generates micrometric vibrations in the structure to delaminate and break the ice with a low power requirement. However, designing the power supply and its control for driving piezoelectric actuators is challenging due to their distinctive capacitive behavior at most frequencies, especially in deicing applications requiring high operational frequency. This contribution addresses the two cross‐dependent parts of the deicing system, that is the piezoelectric actuator designed for breaking any kind of ice on a large area and its power supply made of a 1 kW/200 V/2 MHz auxiliary resonant commutated pole inverter (ARCPI). The choice of this converter is based on the specific constraints of the application, such as varying the operating frequency with the actuator working conditions, the long cables and necessary insulation between the actuator and its supply, the soft‐switching operation and reactive energy balancing for a good efficiency. Based on these criteria, the converter was developed and realized in the laboratory. Deicing tests confirmed effective operation with a power input density of 122 mW/cm2, using nine piezoelectric patches per dm2.

Synergistic contributions of the poling field-induced changes in local structure on the piezoelectric properties of modified BaTiO3 system

Abstract Local structural heterogeneity is a key factor in improving the piezoelectric properties of non-centrosymmetric piezoelectric systems. This work investigates electric field-induced structural and microstructural changes at localized and average scales to elucidate the structure-property correlations that enhance piezoelectric performance in Sn-doped BaTiO3 systems exhibiting coexisting phase boundaries. Despite showing field-induced structural phase transformation, the sample displays variations in piezocoefficient values with the nature of phase boundary compositions. Raman spectroscopy measurements reveal that the TiO6/SnO6 octahedra near the tetragonal-orthorhombic phase boundary exhibit significantly greater poling field-induced structural heterogeneities in local structure compared to those near the orthorhombic-cubic phase boundary. X-ray absorption spectroscopic results on Ti and Sn K-edge in unpoled and poled samples reveal that the dipolar contribution responsible for the piezoelectricity originates from field-induced distortion associated with both TiO6 and SnO6 octahedra. Near the vicinity of the tetragonal-orthorhombic phase boundary, both the TiO6 and SnO6 contributions are cumulative and exhibit better piezoelectricity. On the other hand, at the orthorhombic-cubic phase boundary, the dipolar contributions from these octahedra are counterintuitive, resulting in a reduction of piezoelectricity. These results could provide a pathway to design materials with an enhanced piezoelectric response by considering various phase boundary aspects before applying a poling field prior to making them piezoactive.

Vibration Suppression and Energy Harvesting of Nonlinear Energy Sink-Based Piezoelectric System with Combined Damping and Bistability Properties for Nonlinear Oscillator

Nonlinear energy sink (NES) as a new type of dynamic absorber has received widespread attention due to its broadband vibration suppression capability, but it has a certain requirement of energy triggering threshold. In this work, a bistable NES-based piezoelectric system with combined damping (BCPNES) and low threshold requirement is proposed. Electromechanical-coupled equations for the nonlinear oscillator coupled with BCPNES (NO-BCPNES) are established. The vibration suppression and vibration energy harvesting performance for the coupled system are investigated numerically and analytically. The frequency–energy plots of the conservative system are investigated using the complex-variable averaging method and the electromechanical decoupling method. The influence of circuit parameters on the target energy transfer threshold and harvested energy is discussed through the equivalent stiffness and damping of the circuit. The vibration suppression performance and the target energy transfer characteristics are analyzed in terms of the time–history response, the time–frequency response and the slowly varying dynamic flow, respectively. The results show that the electromechanical coupling coefficient affects the skeleton curve of frequency–energy plots in the form of equivalent stiffness. The NO-BCPNES system exhibits higher energy dissipation performance and better targeted energy transfer form under various excitations. From the phase perspective, NES-based piezoelectric system achieves vibration suppression of the main structure through the phase locking phenomenon. The mechanism of the influence of piezoelectric device parameters on the energy harvesting performance of the systems is clarified.

Performing Magnetic Boundary Modulation to Broaden the Operational Wind Speed Range of a Piezoelectric Cantilever-Type Wind Energy Harvester

Small piezoelectric wind-induced vibration energy harvesting systems have been widely studied to provide long-term sustainable green energy for a large number of wireless sensor network nodes. Piezoelectric materials are commonly utilized as transducers because of their ability to produce high output power density and their simple structure, but they are prone to material fracture under large deformation conditions. This paper proposes a magnetic boundary modulated stepped beam wind energy harvesting system. On the one hand, the design incorporates a composite stepped beam with both high- and low-stiffness components, allowing for efficient vibration and electrical energy output at low wind speeds. On the other hand, a magnetic boundary constraint mechanism is constructed to prevent the piezoelectric sheet from breaking due to excessive deformation. Experiments have confirmed that the effective operational wind speed range of the harvester with magnetic boundary constraints is doubled compared to that of the harvester without magnetic boundary constraints. Furthermore, by adjusting the magnetic pole spacing of the boundary, the harvesting system can generate sufficiently high output power under high-wind-speed conditions without damaging the piezoelectric sheet.

Flexible Composites with Rare-Earth Element Doped Polycrystalline Particles for Piezoelectric Nanogenerators

Energy harvesting plays an important role in advancing personalized wearables by enabling continuous monitoring, enhancing wearable functionality and facilitating sustainable solutions. We aimed to develop a flexible piezoelectric energy harvesting system based on inorganic piezoelectric materials that convert mechanical energy into electricity to power a wide range of mobile and portable electronic devices. There is significant interest in flexible piezoelectric energy harvesting systems that use inorganic piezoelectric materials due to their exceptional physical features and prospective applications. Herein, we successfully demonstrated a flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) designed by the co-doped rare-earth element ceramics (RE-PMN-PT) embedded in PVDF and PDMS composite film and attained a significant output performance while avoiding electrical poling process. The impact of dielectric characteristics on the electrical output of nanogenerators was investigated, together with the structure of the composites. The Sm/La-PMN-PT particles effectively amplify both the voltage and current output, showcasing their potential to power portable and wearable devices, as demonstrated by their capacity to illuminate LEDs. The maximal output power of 2 mW was correlated with the high voltage (220 V) and current (90 µA) of Sm/La-PMN-PT/PVDF, which demonstrated that the device has the potential for energy harvesting in biomedical applications.

Development of a 4-DOF inchworm piezoelectric platform and its experiments on nano scale variable depth scratching

Abstract Recent developments in nanotechnologies have highlighted the demand for multi-dimensional, cross-scale and variable-depth nanoscale structures for applications such as nanofluidic chips, nanosensors, nanoelectronics and many more. Therefore, the implementation and system of cross-scale and variable-depth nanomanufacturing is the core of advanced nanotechnologies. Among all of the current methods, nano scratching is the easiest and most flexible approach with the advantages of low cost and simple machining procedures. In this work, a three-dimensional piezoelectric manufacturing system (PMS) based on a self-developed four-degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) inchworm piezoelectric platform is proposed for implementation of cross-scale and variable-depth nano scratching. Based on the PMS, effects of the scratching parameters such as exciting voltage and frequency on scratching depth and quality are discussed. In addition, the scratching experiments were successfully performed and achieved the nanoscale depth variation of the grooves, nesting rectangles, and concentric circles using the multi-DOF and cross-scale output characteristics of the proposed 4-DOF piezoelectric platform. To sum up, the PMS based on the 4-DOF inchworm piezoelectric platform has potential applications in the fields of machining three-dimensional nanostructures within millimeter scale.

Electromechanical modelling of l-shaped bending-torsion piezoelectric energy harvesting systems

Piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) has become an important concept in recent years, aiming to harvest energy from various mechanical vibrations. However, a significant gap has been noticed in the multimodal and multidirectional analytics of PEHs. In this context, this paper proposes an innovative approach to introduce a novel multimodal and multidirectional PEH design, which exploits both the face extension mode (d31) and the face shear mode (d36), to target low-frequency environments. The study investigates three bending-torsion l-shaped bimorph PEHs, namely H1, H2, and H3. To evaluate the performance of the proposed PEHs, a distributed parameter model is developed based on the assumptions of the Euler-Bernoulli beam. The validity of the model is confirmed by analytical, numerical, and experimental results from previous work. The exploitation of the d36 mode enhances the power output of H1, H2, and H3 by 67.95 %, 43.66 %, and 31.83 respectively. The three PEHs performances are compared quantitatively and qualitatively, and H1 is found to be the most efficient among them. The PEH H1 requires a single excitation to perform the coupled bending-torsion motions, resulting in an outstanding average power output of 54.66 µW, which outperforms the other two PEHs by tenfold. The use of the d36 modes to expand the frequency bandwidth and improve the power output presents an excellent innovative and practical value for piezoelectric energy harvesting.

A Dynamic Simulation of a Piezoelectric Energy-Harvesting System Integrated with a Closed-Loop Voltage Source Converter for Sustainable Power Generation

A Dynamic Simulation of a Piezoelectric Energy-Harvesting System Integrated with a Closed-Loop Voltage Source Converter for Sustainable Power Generation

Analysis and control of hydrofoil vortex-induced vibration

This paper primarily investigates the relationship between the wake vortices and vortex-induced vibrations in hydrofoil structures, as well as explores effective methods to suppress structural vibrations in hydrofoils using a piezoelectric control system. By combining CFD simulations with PIV experiments, the study compared the vortex characteristics at the trailing edge of hydrofoils with different geometries. Furthermore, by integrating the results from the water tank experiments, the research revealed the sensitivity of vortex-induced resonance to the regularity and periodicity of the von Kármán vortex street. Subsequently, the FxLMS algorithm was fine-tuned based on a phenomenological model of vortex-induced resonance. Active control experiments on vortex-induced vibrations of the hydrofoil were conducted using a piezoelectric control system built on this algorithm, achieving a maximum vibration reduction rate of 56%. Finally, the instability and limitations of the control effectiveness were analyzed, and future research directions were proposed to improve control strategies and the system's temporal responsiveness.

Modified extended Rauch–Tung–Striebel smoother method for the dynamic external excitation identification of piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting systems

A vibration energy harvester can collect vibration energy from the environment to supply low-power devices, such as wireless sensor nodes. Reducing the size and power consumption of these devices is a challenging problem. A dual-function device, which includes energy harvesting and vibration measurement, may solve this problem. Therefore, studying inversion methods for identifying the external excitation of a harvester is meaningful. In this study, a modified inversion method that combines an extended Rauch–Tung–Striebel smoother (ERTSS) with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, i.e., the ERTSS-PSO method, is proposed to identify the time domain signal of external excitation through the voltage response of a piezoelectric vibration energy harvester. A modified ERTSS approach with sliding windows is developed. The sliding windows are partially overlapped to eliminate identification errors between the two contiguous windows. Near real-time identification is achieved for the small sliding window. PSO is utilized to estimate state noise covariance and measurement noise covariance, improving identification accuracy compared with the L-curve approach. Under this proposed framework, prior knowledge regarding the statistical data of unknown external excitations is unnecessary, enabling a more comprehensive range of applications. To assess the performance of the proposed ERTSS-PSO method, numerical simulations, including two piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting systems with third-order and fifth-order nonlinear stiffness, are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method under harmonic, multifrequency, and random excitations. The method proposed in this study is also validated by a circular laminated piezoelectric plate harvester under harmonic and random excitations in an experiment. Results from the experimental studies demonstrate that the proposed method improves identification accuracy by at least 9% compared with the extended Kalman filter, at least 7% compared with the augmented Kalman filter (AKF) with Rauch–Tung–Striebel smoother (ARTSS), and at least 40% compared with AKF under random excitation. In addition, the proposed method is unaffected by initial conditions, and it is more stable and accurate than AKF and ARTSS. The proposed method lays the theoretical foundation for identifying the external excitation of a harvester. It is also a possible solution for the miniaturization and compactness of wireless monitoring devices.

Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Local Resonant Ultra-Precision Grinding for Hard-Brittle Materials.

Hard-brittle materials are widely used in the optics, electronics, and aviation industries, but their high hardness and brittleness make it challenging for traditional processing methods to achieve high efficiency and superior surface quality. This study aims to investigate the application of ultrasonic local resonant grinding to sapphire to improve the efficiency and meet the requirements for the optical window in the surface roughness of the material. The resonant frequency of a piezoelectric ultrasonic vibration system and the vibration amplitude of a grinding head's working face were simulated and tested, respectively. The results of ultrasonic grinding experiments showed that the local resonant system reduced the surface roughness parameter (Ra) of sapphire to 14 nm and improved its surface flatness to 44.2 nm, thus meeting the requirements for the ultra-precision grinding of sapphire. Compared with a conventional resonant system, the surface roughness of the sapphire ground with the local resonant system was reduced by 90.79%, its surface flatness was improved by 81.58%, and the material removal rate was increased by 31.35%. These experimental results showed that ultrasonic local resonant grinding has better effects than those of conventional ultrasonic grinding in improving surface quality and increasing the material removal rate.

Growth and thickness effect of -oriented ternary 0.06Pb(Mn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.94Pb(Zr0.48Ti0.52)O3 ferroelectric thin films on silicon substrate by RF sputtering

The development of advanced piezoelectric thin films with large piezoelectric response on silicon substrate is a crucial technology for piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems applications. In this work, high-quality <100>-oriented 0.06Pb(Mn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.94Pb(Zr0.48Ti0.52)O3 (PMN-PZT) thin films were grown on the Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate by sputtering. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and piezoresponse force microscopy were utilized to characterize the phase, morphologies, and domain structures. The growth parameters were optimized and thickness-dependent electrical properties were established. Well-crystalized micron-thick PMN-PZT films with high remnant polarization of 49 μC/cm2 and giant piezoelectric coefficient (d33) up to 484 pC/N (about twice of the polycrystalline PMN-PZT thin film and thrice of the Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 thin film) were obtained. The excellent electrical properties make it highly advantageous for applications in MEMS devices.

Residual Vibration Suppression of Piezoelectric Inkjet Printing Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm.

Piezoelectric inkjet printing technology, known for its high precision and cost-effectiveness, has found extensive applications in various fields. However, the issue of residual vibration significantly limits its printing quality and efficiency. This paper presents a method for suppressing residual vibration based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Initially, an improved PI model considering the nonlinear hysteresis characteristics of piezoelectric ceramics is established, and the model is identified through a strain gauge circuit to ensure its accuracy in describing the nonlinear hysteresis characteristics. Subsequently, a dynamic model of the piezoelectric inkjet printing system is constructed, with precise parameter identification achieved using the self-induction principle. This enables precise simulation of residual vibration. Finally, the driving waveform is optimized based on the PSO algorithm, with iterative calculations employed to find the optimal combination of driving waveform parameters, effectively suppressing residual vibration while ensuring sufficient injection energy. The results indicate that this method significantly reduces the amplitude of residual vibration, thereby effectively enhancing printing quality and stability. This research offers a novel solution for residual vibration suppression in piezoelectric inkjet printing technology, potentially advancing its applications in printing and biofabrication.

Complex Multi-nonlinearity for piezoelectric energy harvesting systems based on an accurate higher-order perturbation method

A theoretical model of a complex nonlinear coupling energy harvester under hybrid excitations is established with analytical and numerical solutions. Different orders of the method of multiple scales are derived to approximate and analyze the equation of motion for the electromechanical coupling system, thus obtaining higher-order approximate analytical solutions for its operating status and output performance indicators. The significant effects of external excitation, linear and nonlinear damping coefficients, as well as impedance on the transverse displacement, voltage, and power of higher-order and lower-order methods are analyzed. The results show that higher-order solution methodology are more sensitive to parameter excitation. For a large damping, the higher-order analysis has more excellent performance in capturing energy. The higher order method shows more pronounced nonlinear softening phenomenon and it is more suitable for low frequency environments. The higher order methods improves solution accuracy of piezoelectric energy harvesting systems. Consequently, it is easier to derive the nonlinear performance of the harvesting systems, and thus improves the average output power.

Investigation of Innovative High-Response Piezoelectric Actuator Used as Smart Actuator–Sensor System

This paper presents an experimental analysis of a high-response piezoelectric actuator system for the modular design of hydraulic digital fluid control units. It focuses on determining static and dynamic characteristics, forming the basis for developing a smart Industry 4.0 component that incorporates both actuator and sensor function. The design process examines the main challenges, advantages, disadvantages, and working principles to define parameters that impact the actuator’s behaviour and performance. The new piezoelectric actuator system features three piezoelectric stack actuators in series, enabling simultaneous actuation and sensing by applying and measuring the electrical voltage at each piezo element. The experimental setup and test methodology are explained in detail, revealing that the new design, combined with an appropriate open-loop or closed-loop control method, offers superior actuator stroke control, high stroke resolution, and a high-dynamic step response. This paper proposes a concept of a smart piezo actuator system focused on I4.0 and an actuator administration shell, integrated with 5G and RFID technology, which will allow automatic plug-and-play functionality and efficient interconnection, communication, and data transfer between the hydraulic valve and the piezoelectric actuator system.

Visible light-driven catalytic degradation of organic pollutants by S-scheme heterojunction Bi4O5I2/NaNbO3 enhanced by piezoelectric effect

The piezoelectric photocatalytic system can harness mechanical energy and carriers to degrade water pollution. Utilizing strong piezoelectric materials coupled with photocatalysts effectively addresses the recombination of photogenerated carriers. In this study, Bi4O5I2, which responds to both visible light and piezoelectric stimuli, was synthesized by a solvothermal method. It was then further modified with the piezoelectric material NaNbO3 to create a dual piezoelectric-responsive visible photocatalytic material Bi4O5I2/NaNbO3. Under the influence of an internal electric field and visible light irradiated induced by periodic ultrasonic vibration, the degradation rates of ARB and HCl-TC were exceeded 90 % within 90 min. The piezoelectric effect induced by ultrasonic vibration provided a robust internal electric field, significantly enhancing the separation of photoexcited carriers and thereby improving the catalytic activity of Bi4O5I2/NaNbO3. This work advances the effective purification of water pollution and offers valuable insights for developing efficient piezoelectric photocatalytic materials.

Energy harvesting from transverse galloping using a two-degree-of-freedom flow energy harvester

Abstract A two degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) galloping piezoelectric energy harvesting system where both oscillators are excited by the incoming flow is studied in this paper. A coupled lumped-parameter model is developed to simulate the electro-fluid-structural coupling behaviour assuming a quasi-steady aerodynamic flow field. The differential equations governing the dynamics of the lumped system are converted into nonlinear algebraic equations employing the harmonic balance method (HBM) and then solved using Newton’s method. The approximate analytical solutions are compared to the solutions obtained by numerical integration, and the results agree, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The solutions were subsequently used to investigate the effects of the bluff body dimension, mechanical, electrical, aerodynamic, and electromechanical parameters on the performance of the harvester and to illustrate how to optimise some of these parameters to reduce the cut-in wind speed and maximise the power output of the energy harvester. It will be shown that the energy harvesting performance could be significantly improved by introducing piezoelectric transducers on both oscillators and including both masses in the incoming flow. A comparative study between the proposed 2-DOF flow energy harvesting system, a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) galloping piezoelectric energy harvester (GPEH), and other configurations of 2-DOF GPEH shows that the present 2-DOF GPEH generates the largest power peak.

Advanced Materials for Energy Harvesting and Soft Robotics: Emerging Frontiers to Enhance Piezoelectric Performance and Functionality.

Piezoelectric energy harvesting captures mechanical energy from a number of sources, such as vibrations, the movement of objects and bodies, impact events, and fluid flow to generate electric power. Such power can be employed to support wireless communication, electronic components, ocean monitoring, tissue engineering, and biomedical devices. A variety of self-powered piezoelectric sensors, transducers, and actuators have been produced for these applications, however approaches to enhance the piezoelectric properties of materials to increase device performance remain a challenging frontier of materials research. In this regard, the intrinsic polarization and properties of materials can be designed or deliberately engineered to enhance the piezo-generated power. This review provides insights into the mechanisms of piezoelectricity in advanced materials, including perovskites, active polymers, and natural biomaterials, with a focus on the chemical and physical strategies employed to enhance the piezo-response and facilitate their integration into complex electronic systems. Applications in energy harvesting and soft robotics are overviewed by highlighting the primary performance figures of merits, the actuation mechanisms, and relevant applications. Key breakthroughs and valuable strategies to further improve both materials and device performance are discussed, together with a critical assessment of the requirements of next-generation piezoelectric systems, and future scientific and technological solutions.

Towards Integrating Pressure-Sound Piezo Energy Generator in Sports Facility Energy Mix

The paper examines the evolving landscape of energy sources within sports facilities. Traditionally reliant on electrical power and other forms of power from non-renewable resources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, these facilities face the inevitability of resource depletion and environmental repercussions. In response, this paper advocates for the adoption of new avenues, including energy conservation, emission reduction, energy recovery, and embracing renewable energy sources. A pioneering focus is on the implementation of a piezoelectric power generation system, tapping into typically wasted sources such as sound and human locomotion. An experimental approach explored the feasibility of such a system in order to ascertain its reliability, efficiency, and sustainability. With applications ranging from powering low-power electronic devices to environmental monitoring sensors, the successful integration of this technology promises a substantial advancement in the use of other renewable energy sources, diminishing reliance on non-renewable sources albeit on a small scale. The paper endeavours to shed light on the potential application of piezoelectric power generation in the electricity production field, aligning with the overarching objective of harvesting energy from unconventional sources and converting it into usable electrical energy. Moreover, it aims to shed light on the potential integration of piezoelectric and audio-electric generators in the energy or renewable energy mix of sports facilities, and address emerging technologies, societal impacts, and strategies to overcome barriers to adoption.

Self-powered piezoelectric sensing system for rotational speed detection of AUV propellers

To realize high-precision self-supplied speed measurement of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) propellers, a self-powered piezoelectric speed sensing and detecting system is developed, which consists of a self-powered piezoelectric detection module and energy management and sensing circuits. The system uses three piezoelectric cantilevers for power and sensing detection. The proposed speed detection system is based on the piezoelectric effect and realizes self-powered sensing by utilizing the kinetic energy generated during the rotation of the propeller into electrical energy. The comprehensive model of the proposed piezoelectric sensing system under periodic toggled excitation is established and analyzed. The optimal output power of the system is investigated through theoretical analysis and simulation. The experimental system of the self-powered speed sensing system is constructed and the effect of speed measurement is tested. Experimental results show that the maximum output power of the piezoelectric self-powered sensing system developed in this work is 218 μW, which is much higher than that of the purely triboelectric sensing system. And the average detection error of the self-powered sensing system is 1.4% and the linearity is 1.09% when the propeller speed ranges from 0 to 300 r/min. Compared with similar self-powered systems, the proposed piezoelectric self-powered system is more advantageous in terms of measurement accuracy and can provide more accurate propeller speed measurement.