The influence of energy recovery on the overall efficiency of acoustic sources at low frequencies

Flexible Lead-Free Piezoelectric Composite Materials for Energy Harvesting Applications

A novel method based on the Virtual Particle Mori–Tanaka (VPMT) is developed to predict the effective electro-elastic properties, d33 and g33, of structured piezoelectric particulate composites with improved accuracy by means of a single parameter related to the spatial distribution of imperfectly aligned rod-like PZT particles. The VPMT method...

Flexible Lead-Free Piezoelectric Composite Materials for Energy Harvesting Applications

Vibrational piezoelectric energy harvesters are being investigated to replace batteries in embedded sensor systems. The energy density that can be harvested depends on the figure of merit, d 33 g 33 , where d 33 and g 33 are the piezoelectric charge and voltage coefficient. Commonly used piezoelectric materials are based on inorganic ceramics,...

Large area and flexible micro-porous piezoelectric materials for soft robotic skin

The need for flexible, highly sensitive tactile sensors that can fit onto curved surfaces is driving the conformable sensor materials research in the field of human–machine interactions. Here we report a new type of compliant piezoelectric active composite, a micro-porous polyurethane-PZT material, capable of generating a voltage output upon...

High Piezoelectric Voltage Coefficient in Structured Lead-Free (K,Na,Li)NbO3 Particulate—Epoxy Composites

A high-voltage coefficient has been found in lead-free piezoelectric particulate composites based on epoxy with lead-free (K0.50Na0.50)0.94Li0.06NbO3 (KNLN) piezoceramic particles with a natural cubic morphology. The KNLN powder used in the composites has been prepared using a new solid-state double calcination processing route. These particles...

Enhancing energy harvesting potential of (K,Na,Li)NbO3-epoxy composites via Li substitution

In this study, the influence of Li substitution on the piezoelectric performance of lead-free K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN)-epoxy composites is explored. KNN piezoceramic particles modified with 0-12 mol% of Li are prepared via a double calcination technique, resulting in a perovskite particulate which transitions from an orthorhombic to tetragonal...

Piezoelectric Lead Zirconium Titanate Composite Touch Sensors for Integration with Flexible OLED Technology

To enable the design of more intuitive product user interfaces, the prospects of matching piezoelectric touch sensors with flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology are investigated. Low stiffness piezoelectric composite sensors, combining piezoelectric Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 powder with a polymer matrix, are prepared and compared to existing...

The effect of calcining temperature on the properties of 0-3 piezoelectric composites of PZT and a liquid crystalline thermosetting polymer

We report on the optimisation of a recently developed high performance 0-3 piezoelectric composite comprising of the piezoelectric Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) powder and a liquid crystalline thermosetting matrix polymer (LCT). The matrix polymer is a liquid crystalline polymer comprising of an HBA-HNA backbone with phenylethynyl end-groups....

Non-linear electromechanical behaviour of piezoelectric bimorph actuators: Influence on performance and lifetime

Piezoelectric bimorph bender actuators find application number of areas, ranging from automotive to health care. High voltage operation in harsh environments poses ever more stringent demands on functionality and lifetime. In these high performance benders, the trade-off between functionality and lifetime becomes of increasing importance, and a...

Lifetime of piezoceramic multilayer actuators: Interplay of material properties and actuator design

We report an investigation into factors limiting the functional lifetime of multilayer piezoceramic actuators. The study consists of a combination of lifetime experiments by means of an accelerated lifetime test, inspection of the actuator microstructure at different stages of the accelerated lifetime test, and numerical simulation of the...