Piezoelectric Research Articles

Comparison of passive and semi-active piezoelectric transducer damping of cantilever oscillation

The aim of this work is the analysis of passive and semi-active damping methods on the model woven beam with a piezoelectric (PZ) layer. The mathematical model of the PZ layer on cantilever beam is derived. For modeling, real product parameters of PZ layer are used, and through simulation find the optimal values to dampen it. The resistive-inductance passive model, and State-Switch Damping SSD semi-active model are used in this work. The models are processed in the MATLAB Simulink environment and the results of the behavior of the models compared to each other. The program involving passive and semi-active systems, where analyze the behavior of the model for different parameters and the damping capabilities of individual methods are compared. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the semi-active system in comparison with the passive systems, also it shows the passive method is not so effective at low frequency as it in high frequency, and the semi-active method is not optimal for high frequency vibration.

Visualising the strength development of FICP-treated sand using impedance spectroscopy

Fungal Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (FICP) is a novel method used in geotechnical engineering that enhances the engineering properties of sand by using the potential of fungal activity. This research is the first attempt to monitor the strength of FICP treated sand using embedded Piezoelectric (PZT) patch based Electromechanical Impedance (EMI) spectroscopy. In the past, the strength of such treated sand has been determined through the destructive methods like Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test. In this study, the sand is mixed with the filamentous fungus Aspergillus Niger and the cementation solution (urea and \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:{\ ext{C}\ ext{a}\ ext{C}\ ext{l}}_{2}$$\\end{document} in the ratio of 1:1) is injected after every 24 h. Results recorded from the cost-effective EVAL AD5933 chip indicate that the shifting of frequency impedance signals in each phase is in good alignment with UCS and calcium carbonate content (CCC). Following the 28-day treatment period, the treated sand achieves a maximum UCS of 3.93 MPa, accompanied by a CCC of 15.19%. In order to correlate EMI signals with treatment cycles, UCS, and CCC, various multi linear regression (MLR) equations for statistical metrics like root mean square deviation (RMSD), mean absolute percentage deviation (MAPD), and correlation coefficient deviation (CCD) are developed. Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses have been conducted to observe the success of the FICP process in the sand.

A 3-DOF multi-depth-of-field carrier automatic focusing stage

Abstract Automatic focusing Stage is an important part of automatic focusing system, a 3-DOF (z-axis displacement and XY axis tilt) Multi-Depth-Of-Field Carrier Automatic Focusing Stage (CAFS) is designed, manufactured and tested in this paper. The stage is driven by four piezoelectric (PZT) actuators. Based on four bridge amplifying mechanisms, large displacement travel and tilt Angle are obtained. Compared with other focusing stages, the developed stage adopts the focusing mode of directly adjusting the spatial position of the sample to realize focusing, which not only avoids the inherent defects of objective focusing mode, but also has the advantages of compact structure, low shape and overall manufacturing. In this paper, the structural parameters and the overall design of the stage are determined, and then the characteristics of the focusing stage are finite element analyzed (FEA). Finally, the performance of the focusing stage is studied experimentally. The maximum Z-axis output displacement of the focusing stage is 213.5μm, and the maximum x-direction and Y-direction tilt angles are 1.5 and 1.7mrad, respectively. For the application of CAFS, the practicability of CAFS is verified by Z-axis image superposition acquisition method in automatic focusing system.

Shear horizontal wave propagation on a piezoelectric substrate with periodic gradient local resonant metasurfaces

In this paper, analytical solutions for shear horizontal (SH) waves propagating in a piezoelectric (PE) substrate with periodic gradient mass oscillators are obtained. Both wave-mode method and spectral method are used to obtain the dispersion equation of SH waves. The influences of mass-spring oscillators on dispersion curves and the wave mode shapes are discussed via numerical examples. It reveals that the numerical results obtained by wave-mode method and spectral method are well matched. In addition, the mass-spring oscillators have evident effects on the propagation characteristic of SH waves, and the effects are closely related with the frequency. Moreover, the widths of the local resonant and Bragg resonant bandgaps become evident wider when oscillator's natural resonance frequency is close to the Bragg scattering frequency. In particular, based on our proposed structure, we can design a sensor with advantages such as filtering and only sensitive to specific frequencies, amplify lossless signals and multi frequency sensitivity.

Comparative Analysis of Active Bonded Piezoelectric Repair Systems for Damaged Structures under Mechanical and Thermo-Mechanical Loads

Active repair systems employing piezoelectric (PZT) patches have emerged as promising solutions for mitigating crack propagation and enhancing structural integrity in various engineering applications. However, the existing literature predominantly focuses on the application of PZT patches for repairing structures under mechanical loading. In this study, a finite element analysis (FEA) is employed to investigate the repair of a centre-cracked aluminium plate under both mechanical and thermo-mechanical loading conditions. This study explores the influence of key parameters, including temperature, PZT patch thickness, type of PZT material, adhesive material, and adhesive thickness, on the structural integrity and crack propagation behaviour. The results reveal significant differences in stress distribution and crack propagation tendencies under varying loading conditions and parameter settings. These findings emphasize the necessity of considering thermo-mechanical loading conditions and parameter variations when designing effective active repair systems. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into optimizing PZT patch-based repair strategies for improved structural integrity and crack mitigation in aerospace and other engineering applications under diverse loading scenarios.

Resilient Reinforcement Learning for Voltage Control in an Islanded DC Microgrid Integrating Data-Driven Piezoelectric

This research study presents a resilient control scheme for an islanded DC microgrid (DC MG) integrating solar photovoltaic (PV), battery storage (BESS), and piezoelectric (PE) energy harvesting modules. The microgrid (MG) case study represents an energy hub designed to provide electricity for lighting systems in transportation, roads, and other infrastructure. To enhance practicality, the PE is modeled using the real data captured from a traffic simulator. The proposed reinforcement learning (RL) method was tested against four severe and unexpected failure scenarios, including short circuit at the load side, sudden and severe change of load, open circuit, and converter failure. The performance of the controller was quantitatively compared with a conventional PI controller. The results show marginal improvement in one scenario and significant improvement in the other three, suggesting that the proposed scheme is a robust candidate for microgrids with high levels of uncertainty, such as those involving solar and PE harvesters.

Flexible Thermoelectric and Piezoelectric Hybrid Energy harvester by Adopting a Multifunctional Cellulose-based Composite Film

Thermoelectric (TE) and piezoelectric (PE) energy harvesting are the most advantageous conversion mechanisms for converting energy generated by the human body into electrical energy, respectively. However, the development of a hybrid energy harvester is essential for achieving high energy conversion efficiency since a single energy harvester cannot convert enough energy. Herein, we present a flexible TE-PE hybrid energy harvester (f-TPHEH) based on a self-assembled single film consisting of Bi2Te2.7Sn0.3 particles, BaTiO3 nanoparticles, and cellulose. The fabricated f-TPHEH exhibited a maximum TE output power of 18.47 nW and a PE instantaneous output of 13.5 nW under integrated thermal and bending conditions (ΔT = 40 K, bending displacement = 7 mm). We conducted a theoretical analysis using multiphysics simulation based on finite element analysis to support the experimental measurements of the fabricated f-TPHEH. In addition, to demonstrate the mechanical stability of the cellulose matrix-based f-TPHEH, a durability test was performed up to 5,000 cycles of bending deformation. This study presents a method for developing the flexible hybrid energy harvester using a low-cost and simple fabrication process.

AI-enhanced backpack with double frequency-up conversion vibration energy converter for motion recognition and extended battery life

With growing interest in physical activities, wearable device sales have been increasing each year due to their help in tracking movement. However, keeping these devices running for a long time is still a key challenge. This paper presents an AI-enhanced backpack equipped with a hybrid vibration energy converter that integrates piezoelectric (PE) and electromagnetic (EM) technologies, featuring a double frequency-up conversion (FUC) mechanism. The PE unit enables efficient motion recognition, while the EM unit extends battery life via kinetic energy harvesting. The double FUC mechanism boosts human motion signal strength and resolution by converting sub-Hertz frequencies to hundreds of Hertz. This makes the device particularly effective in environments with performance constraints and interference. By adopting deep learning techniques, the system maintains a high motion recognition accuracy of 97.33 % even under low data sampling rates and significant noise interference. The EM unit effectively harvests kinetic energy, generating an average output power of 4.5 mW during activities such as running at 4.5 Hz, despite of the device’s compact size. Additionally, a power management circuit with human motion-stimulated switch optimizes battery life by managing the system’s sleep and active states. This innovative energy management approach ensures that during human activity, the system conserves energy by remaining in sleep state for at least 30 % of the time, significantly extending battery life and enhancing the backpack’s suitability for outdoor applications.

Innovative configurations for heat sink integrated with piezoelectric fans

Piezoelectric (PE) fans are gradually replacing conventional axial flow fans in the field of heat dissipation for microelectronics due to small size and high efficiency. However, the flow characteristic of PE fans was seldom considered when arranging heat sink fins, which could not utilize the fans’ advantages. Here, the design of fin arrangement based on the transient flow field generated by the vibration of dual PE fans in the channel was calculated and analyzed by CFD simulation and dynamic grid technology. Four zones with different flow field characteristics were found: Zones 1 and 4 which located inlet and outlet of the channel were Parallel flow zone. Zone 2 with vortices corresponds to the area ranges from the waist of blades to middle section of the channel was Multiple vortices flow zone. Zone 3 with high-speed vortices and jet flows corresponds to the area ranges from middle section of the channel to halfway downstream of blades region was Diffuse flow zone. Innovative configurations of heat sinks where fins arranged at the inlet and surrounding blades were designed according to the flow field characteristics: the loss of high-speed airflow to the inlet was prevented effectively and heat dissipation in the downstream heat sinks was dispersed by fins arranging in Parallel flow zone and Multiple vortices flow zone. The development and merging of high-speed vortices were strengthened by the inhomogeneous pin-fins arranging in Diffuse flow zone. The optimal coordination between the velocity field and the temperature gradient field among innovative configurations was found based on the field coordination analysis. Heat transfer performance was enhanced by new designs where the average temperature compared to conventional heat sink with PE fans was reduced by 16.7°. Our work provided a new fins arrangement to achieve uniform temperature distribution and high heat transfer performance for heat sink integrated with PE fans and would benefit the application in thermal management of high power devices integrated with PE fans.

Probabilistic investigation of piezoelectric application for reliability enhancement of composite laminates under edge delamination

In this research a novel probabilistic numerical approach is developed to investigate the effectiveness of piezoelectric (PZT) materials to enhance the reliability of composite laminates under edge delamination onset (EDO). To achieve this, finite element (FE) modeling is employed as an implicit limit state function (LSF) based on a quadratic failure criterion and the concept of critical length. An interactive interface that integrates FE analysis and reliability analysis is then established to execute both processes simultaneously until the convergence condition of the reliability index is satisfied. To validate current FE analysis, the interlaminar stress peaks, and resulting edge delamination probability obtained in this study are compared with available data. Subsequently, the probability of EDO in angle-ply composite laminates under applied longitudinal strain and an applied electric field on the PZT layer is assessed using both the first-order reliability method (FORM) and the second-order reliability method (SORM). The Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) is employed to verify the numerical results. Findings reveal that employment of PZT reduces EDO probability. Moreover, as the applied voltage increases, the critical strain required for definitive EDO also increases, and the positive influence of PZT on enhancing reliability becomes more pronounced, particularly with increased thickness under higher applied strain.

Dynamic responses of normal and partially failed piezoelectric stack actuators under sinusoidal voltages with DC biasing

Piezoelectric (PZT) stack actuators are widely used in many fields due to the advantages such as small stroke and high force output. However, failures of one or more PZT layers may exist in PZT stacks and then have influences on their performances. This paper investigates dynamic responses of normal and partially failed PZT stack actuators, in order to evaluate the influences of a failed layer at different positions and furthermore explore the rules, which is of great significance for understanding and improving the performances of partially failed PZT stack actuators. Firstly, a group of experiments were performed and responses of PZT stacks were obtained under sinusoidal voltages with DC biasing. Then a multiple degree-of-freedom (DOF) spring-mass system was built as a theoretical model which was verified by the experimental results to simulate output responses of PZT stack actuators. Based on that, the influences of a failed PZT layer at different positions in the stack were obtained by solving the model under various conditions. The results reveal that the farther the failed PZT layer is from the fixed end, the more significant the influences on the displacement or force output of the PZT stack are. Moreover, the rules of influences of a failed PZT layer at different positions were expressed as a general formula which can be used to better understand, evaluate or identify health conditions of PZT stack actuators.

Snap-through of a bistable beam using piezoelectric actuation

The paper presents the snap-through of a bistable system using piezoelectric (PZ) actuation. The bistable system consists of a pre-buckled beam fixed between two jaws. The bistability and snap-through of the beam are modelled using two approaches. An analytical model is first implemented. The results are compared to a full finite element simulation. These modelling approaches are used to find the optimal positioning of the PZ patches used for switching. The PZ-actuated snap-through is then modelled using both an analytical equivalent moment model and finite element simulations. An experimental validation setup is developed accordingly. The validation addresses all aspects of the modelling: bistability, snap-through and PZ-actuated snap-through. For the latter two configurations were studied, namely a switching actuated by a single PZ patch or by two patches. A remarkable agreement is found between both modelling approaches and experimental measurements. The proposed analytical modelling tool can be used for rapid pre-design of bistable devices. It is for instance shown that a centimetre-scale steel-device with an initial transverse displacement about 1 mm can be switched with a few-Newton force or alternatively with a few hundreds of Volts using a PZ patch.

Mode conversion of fundamental guided ultrasonic wave modes at part-thickness crack-like defects

Guided ultrasonic waves can be employed for efficient structural health monitoring (SHM) and non-destructive evaluation (NDE), as they can propagate long distances along thin structures. The scattering (S0 mode) and mode conversion of low frequency guided waves (S0 to A0 and SH0 wave modes) at part-thickness crack-like defects was studied to quantify the defect detection sensitivity. Three-dimensional (3D) Finite Element (FE) modelling was used to predict the mode conversion and scattering of the fundamental guided wave modes. Experimentally, the S0 mode was excited by a piezoelectric (PZT) transducer in an aluminum plate. A laser vibrometer was used to measure the out-of-plane displacement to characterize the mode-converted A0 mode, employing baseline subtraction to achieve mode and pulse separation. Good agreement between FE model predictions and experimental results was obtained for perpendicular incidence of the S0 mode. The influence of defect depth and length on the scattering and mode conversion was studied and the sensitivity for part-thickness defects was quantified. The maximum mode conversion (S0-A0 mode) occurred for ¾ defect depth and the amplitude of the mode-converted A0 and scattered S0 modes mostly increased linearly as the defect length increased with an almost constant A0/S0 mode scattered amplitude ratio. Similar forward and backward scattering amplitude was found for the mode converted A0 mode. The mode conversion of the S0 to SH0 mode has the highest sensitivity for short defects, but the SH0 mode amplitude only increased slightly for longer defects. Employing the information contained in the mode-converted, scattered guided ultrasonic wave modes could improve the detection sensitivity and localization accuracy of SHM algorithms.

Monitoring of compressive strength gain in mass concrete using embedded piezoelectric transducers

AbstractThis study extended the electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique to monitor the 28‐day age of strength gain in mass concrete, although it has been validated in strength monitoring of a lab‐scaled concrete specimen. Embedded piezoelectric (PZT) transducer, namely, aluminum embedded PZT (AEP), that was wrapped by two sandwich aluminum pastes was proposed for EMI monitoring. The workability of the AEP was first verified via finite element analysis, where the effect of hydration heat on the EMI signature of the AEP was evaluated via numerical modeling and prior thermal test. In the experiment, totally four AEP transducers arranged at different loci were applied to monitor strength gain in a mass concrete specimen. As a comparison, the maturity method was also performed to estimate the strength of the specimen. Characteristics of EMI signature and its statistical indices including root mean square deviation (RMSD) and mean absolute percentage deviation (MAPD) were analyzed and correlated to strength development in mass concrete. Monitoring results indicated that the AEP transducers were capable of identifying the strength gain of mass concrete. The logarithmic function between the RMSD/MAPD index values and compressive strength perfectly predicted the strength development, which could be further employed for real‐life and in situ applications.

Validation of an Abaqus impact wave propagation model

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an important topic in aircraft industry to reduce the maintenance costs and increase the availability of an aircraft fleet through automating the determination of the health of the aircraft structure and systems using on-site sensors, like piezoelectric (PZT) and optic fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors that are often applied in SHM sensor networks. A finite element model for wave propagation due to an impact is very desirable to enable the design of optimal sensor network configurations for SHM applications, to obtain a better understanding of wave propagation (especially in composite structures) and also to generate simulated (virtual) test data for SHM algorithm development. Therefore, an Abaqus explicit finite element (FE) model was developed for wave propagation due to impacts. To validate such a model, a series of impact tests were performed with a drop tower on an aluminium clamped square panel, at different impact energy levels and different impact locations. On the panel, eight FBG and six PZT sensors were installed. These experimental results were used to validate the FE model, in which the impacts were simulated and the computed PZT and FBG sensor responses were compared against the experimental results. The paper will present the impact test setup, the finite element model and the validation results. The main focus of the paper will be the sensitivity analysis, identifying the model parameters that significantly affect the impact sensor responses and their optimal settings. A very good correlation between the numerical and experimental results was obtained. In near future work, the model will be extended to a (thermoplastic) composite panel, for which experimental results on a flat composite panel already have been collected, and a stiffened composite panel representative of an actual horizontal tail plane are planned.

Application of deep learning for structural health monitoring of a composite overwrapped pressure vessel undergoing cyclic loading

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) using ultrasonic-guided waves (UGWs) enables continuous monitoring of components with complex geometries and provides extensive information about their structural integrity and their overall condition. Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) used for storing hydrogen gases at very high pressures are an example of a critical infrastructure that could benefit significantly from SHM. This can be used to increase the periodic inspection intervals, ensure safe operating conditions by early detection of anomalies, and ultimately estimate the remaining lifetime of COPVs. Therefore, in the Digital Quality Infrastructure Initiative (QI-Digital) in Germany, an SHM system is being developed for COPVs used in a hydrogen refueling station. In this study, the results of a lifetime fatigue test on a Type IV COPV subjected to many thousands of load cycles under different temperatures and pressures are presented to demonstrate the strengths and challenges associated with such an SHM system. During the cyclic testing up to the final material failure of the COPV, a sensor network of fifteen surface-mounted piezoelectric (PZT) wafers was used to collect the UGW data. However, the pressure variations, the aging process of the COPV, the environmental parameters, and possible damages simultaneously have an impact on the recorded signals. This issue and the lack of labeled data make signal processing and analysis even more demanding. Thus, in this study, semi-supervised, and unsupervised deep learning approaches are utilized to separate the influence of different variables on the UGW data with the final aim of detecting and localizing the damage before critical failure.

Impact Identification Method for Structural Health Monitoring of Stiffened Composite Panels using Passive Sensing Systems

Identification of impact and its resulting damage is a complex inverse inferential procedure. Estimating the magnitude of an impact from sensor data is challenging and still needs to be fully understood. Furthermore, only a few studies have solved practical impact identification problems relevant to real-world structures with different geometries and structural inhomogeneities (e.g. variable thicknesses and stiffeners). Accordingly, the current research presents an impact categorisation analysis using passive measurements from piezoelectric (PZT) sensors for a geometrically complex composite aircraft part. Intermediate-mass impact tests were performed on a stiffened thermoplastic composite plate to generate signals representing various impact scenarios that may occur during the lifetime of an aircraft. The impacts were applied at critical locations, including the mid-bay, on top of the stringer, and at different thicknesses. This study investigated the effect of structural features on wave propagation in composite structures. The experimental results demonstrate that these features significantly change the wave field and, consequently, affect sensor readings. To differentiate between pristine and damaged states, an impact signal categorisation approach was employed. This analysis shows that a passive sensing system can categorise the impact using the transmitted energy from a time-domain signal. However, the spectral energy values showed low efficiency in categorising impacts. Overall, the results highlight the importance of considering structural features when deploying sensor systems for structural health monitoring and provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of impact identification and damage detection in realistic composite structures.

An analytical model for Love wave in a coated piezoelectric bar via nonlocal theory due to an impulsive source

The non-locality behavior of new advanced functionally graded (FG) and piezoelectric (PE) nanobar is presented in this study with an impulsive point source using green function derivatives. The primary aim of this study is to explore the impact of different physical parameters on the phase dispersion phenomena against wave number and depth of point source of Love wave propagation. The stress tensor is considered the linear variation of the shear stress distribution in the thickness direction, and the shear stress at the free surface of the piezoelectric bar is zero. Using the Fourier transform and Green’s function technique, the equations of motion and the dispersion relation is derived by applying admissible boundary conditions involving piezoelectricity, dielectricity, functional gradient, and nonlocal elastic parameters of the media. The obtained results are validated with existing results by considering special cases. The variation in the dispersion curves due to the impulsive point source and piezoelectricity, dielectricity, functional gradient, and non-locality parameters have been analyzed and illustrated using graphs along with a comparative study by considering four piezoelectric materials, PZT-4, PZT-5A, PZT-5H, and PZT-2. Furthermore, the relationship between nonlocal parameters in the layer and half-space is investigated to explore the influence of wave number, phase velocity, and depth of point source.

The Latest Advances in Ink-Based Nanogenerators: From Materials to Applications.

Nanogenerators possess the capability to harvest faint energy from the environment. Among them, thermoelectric (TE), triboelectric, piezoelectric (PE), and moisture-enabled nanogenerators represent promising approaches to micro-nano energy collection. These nanogenerators have seen considerable progress in material optimization and structural design. Printing technology has facilitated the large-scale manufacturing of nanogenerators. Although inks can be compatible with most traditional functional materials, this inevitably leads to a decrease in the electrical performance of the materials, necessitating control over the rheological properties of the inks. Furthermore, printing technology offers increased structural design flexibility. This review provides a comprehensive framework for ink-based nanogenerators, encompassing ink material optimization and device structural design, including improvements in ink performance, control of rheological properties, and efficient energy harvesting structures. Additionally, it highlights ink-based nanogenerators that incorporate textile technology and hybrid energy technologies, reviewing their latest advancements in energy collection and self-powered sensing. The discussion also addresses the main challenges faced and future directions for development.

Modeling and radiation performance analysis of acoustically actuated magnetoelectric antennas

Bulk acoustic wave-mediated magnetoelectric (ME) antenna is the most promising acoustically actuated ultra-compact antenna scheme at ultrahigh frequency (0.3–3 GHz). However, the relevant research is still exploratory, and the antenna’s multi-field coupling modeling and performance analysis are imperfect. This work presents a cellular model based on finite element simulation to analyze the radiation characteristics of the ME antenna integrated on a thin-film bulk wave resonator (FBAR). Compared with the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, the cellular model has the advantages of simplicity and high universality. The effects of mechanical and dielectric losses of piezoelectric (PE) material and mechanical and eddy current losses of magnetostrictive (MS) material on radiation efficiency are analyzed through the intensive research of unit cells of four different material combinations. Results show that the mechanical quality factors and piezomagnetic stress constant are the key parameters to determine the radiation efficiency. Besides conductivity and permeability, eddy current loss is also closely related to the thickness of the MS layer. This study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing the radiation performance of ME FBAR antennas and identifying areas for further development.