Piezoelectric composite films which are enabled by inorganic piezoelectric nanomaterials-embedded polymer, have attracted enormous attention as a sustainable power source for low powered electronics, because of their ease of fabrication and flexible nature. However, the absorption of applied stress by the soft polymeric matrices is a major issue that must be solved to expand the fields of piezoelectric composite applications. Herein, a flexible and porous piezoelectric composite (piezoelectric sponge) comprised of BaTiO3 nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane was developed using template method to enhance the energy conversion efficiency by minimizing the stress that vanishes into the polymer matrix. In the porous structure, effective stress transfer can occur between the piezoelectric active materials in compression mode due to direct contact between the ceramic particles embedded in the pore-polymer interface. The piezoelectric sponge with 30 wt% of BaTiO3 particles generated an open-circuit voltage of ~12 V and a short-circuit current of ~150 nA. A finite element method-based simulation was conducted to theoretically back up that the piezoelectric output performance was effectively improved by introducing the sponge structure. Furthermore, to demonstrate the feasibility of pressure detecting applications using the BaTiO3 particles-embedded piezoelectric sponge, the composite was arranged in a 3 × 3 array and integrated into a single pressure sensor. The fabricated sensor array successfully detected the shape of the applied pressure. This work can provide a cost-effective, biocompatible, and structural strategy for realizing piezoelectric composite-based energy harvesters and self-powered sensors with improved energy conversion efficiency

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.

Recent developments in the field of energy harvesting technology that convert ambient energy resources into electricity enable the use of self-powered energy systems in wearable and portable electronic devices without the need for additional external power sources. In particular, piezoelectric-effect-based flexible energy harvesters have drawn much attention because they can guarantee power generation from ubiquitous mechanical and vibrational movements. In response to demand for sustainable, permanent, and remote use of real-life personal electronics, many research groups have investigated flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (f-PEHs) that employ nanoscaled piezoelectric materials such as nanowires, nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanotubes. In those attempts, they have proven the feasibility of energy harvesting from tiny periodic mechanical deformations and energy utilization of f-PEH in commercial electronic devices. This review paper provides a brief overview of f-PEH devices based on piezoelectric nanomaterials and summarizes the development history, output performance, and applications.

In this paper, a 2-DOF electromechanical impedance model of PZT material-aluminum interface member is proposed. The primary motivation is to control the effective frequency range in impedance-based local health monitoring practices. The proposed method focuses on the predetermination of the effective frequency band and the wireless impedance sensing possibility for damage detection in structural connections like tendon anchorage, etc. Firstly, a 2-DOF impedance model is proposed for modelling the PZT interface-host structure system. Secondly, the prototype design of the PZT interface is developed based on the analysis of the 2-DOF impedance model and the local dynamic characteristics of the composite aluminum interface-host structure system. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed 2-DOF impedance model is numerically verified by predetermining the effective frequency band for the impedance monitoring in a cable-anchorage connection.

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.

가진력의 영향을 평가하기 위해 이용되는 압전소자와 물체의 변형량을 분석하기 위해 사용되는 광섬유 센서와 변형 게이지는 각종 시험과 실험에 널리 사용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 케이블 시스템에서 발생한 손상을 검토하기 위해 압전소자와 광섬유센서를 이용하였다. 케이블 시스템은 압축이나 휨이 발생하지 않고 막구조에서 단지 인장력을 분담한다. 그러나 기존의 안전진단법을 이용하여 케이블 시스템의 손상을 판단하는 것은 전체구조의 특이한 구조거동 등으로 검토하기 어렵다. 인장부재에서 케이블의 풀림과 할렬이 발생하면 진동을 유발하기 때문에 압전소자를 케이블의 손상을 검토하기 위해 이용하였으며, 이를 광섬유 센서를 이용한 실험의 결과와 비교하였다. 본 연구는 인장응력 하에 케이블 시스템의 손상을 검토하는 방법을 제안하기 위한 실험적 연구이다.

이 연구에서는 강교량과 같은 토목 구조물에서 유도파의(Guided waves)한 종류인 램파(Lamb wave)를 이용하여 실시간으로 균열손상을 감지할 수 있는 새로운 비파괴 검사방법을 제안한다. 기존의 유도파를 이용한 기술들은, 손상을 감지하기 위해 비손상 상태의 자료를 저장하고 이를 새로이 얻어진 결과와 비교하는 방법을 사용함으로써 잠재적인 손상을 진단해 왔다. 그러나, 공용중인 강구조물은 다양한 하중 뿐 아니라 상시로 변화하는 자연환경에 노출되어 있기 때문에 동일한 비손상 상태의 응답을 얻는 것이 매우 어려우며 이러한 방법을 적용할 경우 오보(false alarm)의 우려도 매우 높다고 할 수 있다. 따라서 이 연구에서는 보다 안정적인 손상감지기법을 개발하기 위해 기존에 얻어진 초기치를 이용하지 않으면서 실시간으로 손상 여부를 판단할 수 있는 방법을 제안하고자 한다. 이 연구에서 제안된 감지 기술은, 압전소자의 극성과 판파의 특성을 이용하는 것으로 얇은 판의 양면에 부착된 압전소자를 통하여 균열손상에 의한 신호를 선택적으로 감지해 내는 데에 그 목적이 있다. 균열이 발생한 판에서 진행하는 판파는 균열로 인한 판의 두께변화로 인해 모드 변화를 일으키게 되는데, 제안된 감지기법으로 이러한 모드 변화만을 선택적으로 추출할 수 있다. 다양한 수치해석과 실험을 통해 이 연구에서 제안된 손상감지기법의 효율성과 적용성을 입증한다.

구조물의 모니터링과 손상 및 진동예측에 많은 센서들이 사용되고 있으며, 압전소자 및 변형게이지는 재료 및 구조물의 손상에 사용되고 있다. 그러나 진동에 대한 실험은 미진한 실정이다. 압전소자는 구조물의 변형되었을 때 로드셀의 경우에서처럼 작용되는 외력을 전기적인 신호로 바꾸어주는 센서이다. 이를 이용하여, 철근 콘크리트 판에서 진동예측을 압전소자의 전압변화로 사용하였다. 본 연구는 판에서 압전소자를 사용하여 진동을 예측하기 위한 기초적 연구이다.

The evolution of the electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) of piezoelectricity (PZT) sensor was investigated to determine the setting times of fiber reinforced cementitious materials in this study. Penetration resistance test was also conducted to validate the EMI sensing technique. As a result, the setting times of fiber reinforced cementitious materials can be effectively monitored through the EMI sensing technique using an embedded PZT sensor.

This study presents the concept of a multi-functional Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) using piezocomposite element as damping component. This new type of TMD intends to exploit the unused energy produced by the traffic-induced vibrations of the bridge structure for the generation of electric power while fulfilling its natural role of reducing undesirable vibrations in the structure. Since the proposed TMD is still in a development stage, this paper summarizes the concept underlying the mechanism of the TMD.

This study informs regarding application to electric protection by using piezoelectric material which is one of the energy harvesting system in bridge. It can transform from strain energy to electricity energy by using piezoelectric material as strain energy always occurs in bridge. This paper suggests that electricity energy occurred from piezoelectric material can use cathodic protection by power impressed methods for anti corrosion of reinforcement bar, steel and so on.