Piezoelectric Actuators

This book discusses some recent achievements and developments of piezoelectric actuators, in terms of piezoelectric material, driving principle, structural design, modeling, and control, as well as applications.

This book summarizes the latest progress in precision piezoelectric actuators.

This book presents new approaches to R&D of piezoelectric actuators and generators of different types based on established, original constructions and contemporary research into framework of theoretical, experimental, and numerical methods of physics, mechanics, and materials science. Improved technical solutions incorporated into the devices demonstrate high output values of voltage and power, allowing application of the goods in various areas of energy harvesting.

This book presents new approaches to R&D of piezoelectric actuators and generators of different types based on established, original constructions and contemporary research into framework of theoretical, experimental, and numerical methods of physics, mechanics, and materials science. Improved technical solutions incorporated into the devices demonstrate high output values of voltage and power, allowing application of the goods in various areas of energy harvesting.

The purpose of this work is to disseminate some of the latest scientific and technological advances by different researchers around the world in the development of devices and applications based on these materials. The book compiles state-of-the-art fundamentals, current uses, as well as emerging applications of piezoelectric and thermoelectric materials. It is a source of inspiration for continued scientific research on the commercial, industrial, and military applications of these materials. Furthermore, it is a valuable and informative resource for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as experts and researchers in the field.

This book is a result of contributions of experts from international scientific community working in different aspects of piezoelectric materials and devices through original and innovative research studies. The reader will have access to works related to the various applications of piezoelectric materials such as piezoelectric stacks in level sensors, pressure sensors, actuators for functionally graded plates, active and passive health monitoring systems, machining processes, nondestructive testing of aeronautical structures and acoustic wave velocity measurements.

Provides in-depth knowledge on lead-free piezoelectrics - for state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly electrical and electronic devices!
Lead zirconate titanate ceramics have been market-dominating due to their excellent properties and flexibility in terms of compositional modifications. Driven by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, there is a growing concern on the toxicity of lead. Therefore, numerous research efforts were devoted to lead-free piezoelectrics from the beginning of this century. Great progress has been made in the development of high-performance lead-free piezoelectric ceramics which are already used, e.g., for power electronics applications.

The focus of this book is the physical modeling of mechatronic sensors and actuators and their precise numerical simulation using the Finite Element Method (FEM). It is complete in the sense, that it discusses the physical modeling as well as numerical computation.