Numerical modeling of shape and topology optimisation of a piezoelectric cantilever beam in an energy-harvesting sensor. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thein, Chung; Liu, Jing-Sheng
• Is Part Of: Engineering with computers. Volume 33:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Piezoelectric -- Multi-disciplinary optimisation -- Shape and topology optimisation -- Energy harvesting -- Bimorph cantilever beam; Engineering design -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Computer-aided design -- Periodicals; Conception technique -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Conception assistée par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.00285
• DOI: 10.1007/s00366-016-0460-3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0177-0667

Abstract

Abstract Piezoelectric materials are excellent transducers for converting mechanical energy from the environment for use as electrical energy. The conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy is a key component in the development of self-powered devices, especially enabling technology for wireless sensor networks. This paper proposes an alternative method for predicting the power output of a bimorph cantilever beam using a finite-element method for both static and dynamic frequency analyses. A novel approach is presented for optimising the cantilever beam, by which the power density is maximised and the structural volume is minimised simultaneously. A two-stage optimisation is performed, i.e., a shape optimisation and then a "topology" hole opening optimisation.