Dynamic behavior of piezoelectric ZnO nanowires is investigated using finite element analyses (FEA) on FE models constructed based on previous experimental observations in which nanowires having aspect ratios of 1:2. 1:31, and 1:57 are obtained during a hydrothermal process. Modal analyses predict that nanowires will vibrate in lateral bending, uniaxial elongation/contraction, and twisting (torsion), respectively, for the three ratios. The natural frequency for each vibration mode varies depending on the aspect ratio, while the frequencies are in a range of 7.233 MHz to 3.393 GHz. Subsequent transient response analysis predicts that the nanowires will behave quasi-statically within the load frequency range below 10 MHz, implying that the ZnO nanowires have application potentials as structural members of electromechanical systems including nano piezoelectric generators and piezoelectric dynamic strain sensors. When an electric pulse signal is simulated, it is predicted that the nanowires will deform in accordance with the electric signal. Once the electric signal is removed, the nanowires exhibit a specific resonance-like vibration, with the frequency synchronized to the signal frequency. These predictions indicate that the nanowires have additional application potential as piezoelectric actuators and resonators.

Finite element analyses are carried out to understand the piezoelectric behaviors of ZnO nanowires. Three different types of ZnO nanowires, with aspect ratios of 1:2. 1:31, and 1:57, are analyzed for uniaxial compression, pure bending, and buckling. Under the uniaxial compression with a strain of 1.0 × 10−4 as the reference state, it is predicted that all three types of nanowires develop the same magnitude of the piezoelectric fields, which suggests that longer nanowires exhibit higher piezoelectric potential. However, this prediction is not in agreement with the experimental results previously reported in the literature. Such discrepancy is understood when the piezoelectric behaviors under bending and buckling are considered. When only the strain field due to bending is present in bending or buckling, the antisymmetric nature of the through-thickness stain distribution indicates that two piezoelectric fields, the same in magnitude and opposite in sign, develop along the thickness direction, which cancels each other out, resulting in a zero net piezoelectric field. Once additional strain contribution due to axial deformation is superposed on the bending, such field cancelling is compensated for due to the axial component of the piezoelectric field. Such numerical predictions seem to explain the reported experimental results while providing a guideline for the design of nanowire-based piezoelectric devices.

PURPOSES : The piezoelectric energy road analysis technology using a three-dimensional finite element method was developed to investigate pavement behaviors when piezoelectric energy harvesters and a new polyurethane surface layer were installed in field conditions. The main purpose of this study is to predict the long-term performance of the piezoelectric energy road through the proposed analytical steps. METHODS: To predict the stresses and strains of the piezoelectric energy road, the developed energy harvesters were embedded into the polyurethane surface layer (50 mm from the top surface). The typical type of triaxial dump truck loading was applied to the top of each energy harvester. In this paper, a general purpose finite element analysis program called ABAQUS was used and it was assumed that a harvester is installed in the cross section of a typical asphalt pavement structure. RESULTS : The maximum tensile stress of the polyurethane surface layer in the initial fatigue model occurred up to 0.035 MPa in the transverse direction when the truck tire load was loaded on the top of each harvester. The maximum tensile stresses were 0.025 MPa in the intermediate fatigue model and 0.013 MPa in the final fatigue model, which were 72% and 37% lower than that of the initial stage model, respectively. CONCLUSIONS : The main critical damage locations can be estimated between the base layer and the surface layer. If the crack propagates, bottom-up cracking from the base layer is the main cracking pattern where the tensile stress is higher than in other locations. It is also considered that the possibility of cracking in the top-down direction at the edge of energy harvester is more likely to occur because the material strength of the energy harvester is much higher and plays a role in the supporting points. In terms of long-term performance, all tensile stresses in the energy harvester and polyurethane layer are less than 1% of the maximum tensile strength and the possibility of fatigue damage was very low. Since the harvester is embedded in the surface layer of the polyurethane, which has higher tensile strength and toughness, it can assure a good, long-term performance.

This paper presents the design and simulation results of a piezo-driven motion stage that employs a novel cross hinge structure that is more efficient and flexible than previous designs. The newly designed motion stage enables close to nanometer-precision motion control with ranges up to 1.6mm. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the novel hinge structures and the performance of the proposed design.

본 연구에서는 판형태의 압전감지기와 압전작동기가 접착되어 있는 보형태의 스마트구조물의 자유진동제어에 대한 유한요소모형화 방법을 제안한다. 압전재료의 직접압전효과와 역압전효과에 대한 구성방정식을 고려하고 변분원리를 이용하여 스마트보유한요소의 운동방정식을 유도한다. 이러한 2절점 보 유한요소근 등매개변수요소로서 Timoshenko 보이론을 기초로 한다. 따라서, 보형태의 스마트구조물을 제안하는 스마트보 유한요소에 의하여 해석함으로써 전압이 작용되는 압전작동기에 의한 구조물의 제어와 전압을 측정하는 압전감지기에 의한 구조물의 모니터링에 대한 수치적인 시뮬레이션이 가능해진다 이러한 스마트보유한요소와 Constant-gain feed back control 기법을 이용하여 압전감지기와 압전작동기를 이용한 보구조물의 자유진동제어에 대한 유한요소 모델을 제안한다