We demonstrate an organic/inorganic hybrid energy-harvesting platform, based on nanostructured piezolelectric arrays embedded in an environmental-responsive polymer matrix, which can self-generate electrical power by scavenging energy from the environment. A proof of principle device is designed, fabricated, and tested using vertically aligned ZnO nanowires and heat as the local energy source. ...

A new class of polymeric piezoelectric bimorph actuators, called C-blocks because of their curved shape, has been developed to overcome limitations of conventional bimorph and stack piezoelectric configurations. Design tradeoffs are investigated in the current research using various performance criteria such as maximum deflection, force, and strain energy. The set of design variables to optimiz...

In this paper we present the results of a systematic theoretical and experimental investigation of the fundamental aspects of using piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWASs) to achieve embedded ultrasonics in thin-gage beam and plate structures. This investigation opens the path for systematic application of PWASs for in situ health monitoring. After a comprehensive review of the literature, w...

Emerging technologies in microsensing, microactuation, active airfoils, turbine blades, and large, lightweight, flexible space structures can benefit from piezoelectric actuators for active shape control. Piezoelectric materials develop strain under applied voltage which induces structural deflection. This article presents analytical models, FEM solution, and optimal shape control of composite ...

This paper presents the buckling analysis of the piezoelectric functionally graded material (FGM) rectangular plates subjected to non-uniformly distributed loads, heat and voltage based on the mesh-free method. A two-step solution procedure is implemented. The first step is to determine the pre-buckling stresses of the plates subjected to non-uniformly distributed loads. The second step is to s...