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Flexible Piezoelectric Transducers and Applications Based on Sensors and Actuators
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Flexible Piezoelectric Transducers and Applications Based on Sensors and Actuators

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensors and Robotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 10608

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Georg C. Schmidt

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Technische Universität Chemnitz, Institute for Print and Media Technology, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany
Interests: printed electronics; piezoelectric transducers; loudspeaker paper

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Flexible electronics are becoming more and more attractive for many different traditional and novel application fields, showing significant advantages such as a lightweight and ultra-thin design, compatibility with large area manufacturing tools such as printing, and additional unique features such as transparency.

Moreover, piezoelectric transducers can be realized as flexible devices, enabling an “imperceptible” integration of such sensors or actuators, e.g., onto uneven surfaces such as human skin or “hidden” within book pages.

This Special Issue targets the publication of novel ideas and research work on flexible piezoelectric transducers and their applications. Research can focus on novel device design and set-ups (multi-layer design, sensor-actor networks, etc.), the manufacturing technology (conventional or digital printing, coating, etc.), material improvements (for improving piezoelectric properties, frequency behavior, layer quality, etc.), and/or novel applications (sensor/actuator arrays, health diagnostics, acoustics, haptics, etc.).  

Dr. Georg C. Schmidt
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 5863 KiB  
Article
Design and Fabrication of a High-Sensitivity and Wideband Cymbal Hydrophone
by Donghyun Kim and Yongrae Roh
Sensors 2023, 23(22), 9086; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23229086 - 10 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 932
Abstract
So far, cymbal transducers have been developed primarily for transmitting purposes, and even when used for receiving, the focus has been mostly on improving the receiving sensitivity. In this study, we developed a cymbal hydrophone with a higher sensitivity and a wider bandwidth [...] Read more.
So far, cymbal transducers have been developed primarily for transmitting purposes, and even when used for receiving, the focus has been mostly on improving the receiving sensitivity. In this study, we developed a cymbal hydrophone with a higher sensitivity and a wider bandwidth than other existing hydrophones. First, the initial structure of the cymbal hydrophone was established, and then the effects of structural variables on the hydrophone’s performance were analyzed using the finite element method. Based on the analysis results, the structure having the highest sensitivity and widest bandwidth, with a receiving voltage sensitivity level above a certain threshold, was derived using optimal design techniques. A prototype of the cymbal hydrophone with the designed structure was fabricated, and its performance was measured, validating the effectiveness of the design by comparing the measurement results with the design values. The developed cymbal hydrophone is expected to be utilized in various underwater precision measurements, as it possesses a significantly broader reception frequency bandwidth when compared with other hydrophones used for the same purpose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flexible Piezoelectric Transducers and Applications Based on Sensors and Actuators)
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14 pages, 5878 KiB  
Article
Baseline-Free Damage Imaging of Composite Lap Joint via Parallel Array of Piezoelectric Sensors
by Mohsen Barzegar, Artur L. Ribeiro, Dario J. Pasadas, Aadhik Asokkumar, Renaldas Raišutis and Helena G. Ramos
Sensors 2023, 23(22), 9050; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23229050 - 8 Nov 2023
Viewed by 993
Abstract
This paper presents a baseline-free damage imaging technique using a parallel array of piezoelectric sensors and a control board that facilitates custom combinations of sensor selection. This technique incorporates an imaging algorithm that uses parallel beams for generation and reception of ultrasonic guided [...] Read more.
This paper presents a baseline-free damage imaging technique using a parallel array of piezoelectric sensors and a control board that facilitates custom combinations of sensor selection. This technique incorporates an imaging algorithm that uses parallel beams for generation and reception of ultrasonic guided waves in a pitch–catch configuration. A baseline-free reconstruction algorithm for probabilistic inspection of defects (RAPID) algorithm is adopted. The proposed RAPID method replaces the conventional approach of using signal difference coefficients with the maximum signal envelope as a damage index, ensuring independence from baseline data. Additionally, conversely to the conventional RAPID algorithm which uses all possible sensor combinations, an innovative selection of combinations is proposed to mitigate attenuation effects. The proposed method is designed for the inspection of lap joints. Experimental measurements were carried out on a composite lap joint, which featured two dissimilar-sized disbonds positioned at the lap joint’s borderline. A 2D correlation coefficient was used to quantitatively determine the similarity between the obtained images and a reference image with correct defect shapes and locations. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed damage imaging method in detecting both defects. Additionally, parametric studies were conducted to illustrate how various parameters influence the accuracy of the obtained imaging results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flexible Piezoelectric Transducers and Applications Based on Sensors and Actuators)
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16 pages, 6898 KiB  
Article
Study of Pressure Distribution in Floor Tiles with Printed P(VDF:TrFE) Sensors for Smart Surface Applications
by Asier Alvarez Rueda, Philipp Schäffner, Andreas Petritz, Jonas Groten, Andreas Tschepp, Frank Petersen, Martin Zirkl and Barbara Stadlober
Sensors 2023, 23(2), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/s23020603 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3315
Abstract
Pressure sensors integrated in surfaces, such as the floor, can enable movement, event, and object detection with relatively little effort and without raising privacy concerns, such as video surveillance. Usually, this requires a distributed array of sensor pixels, whose design must be optimized [...] Read more.
Pressure sensors integrated in surfaces, such as the floor, can enable movement, event, and object detection with relatively little effort and without raising privacy concerns, such as video surveillance. Usually, this requires a distributed array of sensor pixels, whose design must be optimized according to the expected use case to reduce implementation costs while providing sufficient sensitivity. In this work, we present an unobtrusive smart floor concept based on floor tiles equipped with a printed piezoelectric sensor matrix. The sensor element adds less than 130 µm in thickness to the floor tile and offers a pressure sensitivity of 36 pC/N for a 1 cm2 pixel size. A floor model was established to simulate how the localized pressure excitation acting on the floor spreads into the sensor layer, where the error is only 1.5%. The model is valuable for optimizing the pixel density and arrangement for event and object detection while considering the smart floor implementation in buildings. Finally, a demonstration, including wireless connection to the computer, is presented, showing the viability of the tile to detect finger touch or movement of a metallic rod. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flexible Piezoelectric Transducers and Applications Based on Sensors and Actuators)
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14 pages, 3760 KiB  
Article
Printed Multilayer Piezoelectric Transducers on Paper for Haptic Feedback and Dual Touch-Sound Sensation
by Georg C. Schmidt, Jonas M. Werner, Thomas Weissbach, Jörg Strutwolf, Robert Eland, Welf-Guntram Drossel and Arved C. Hübler
Sensors 2022, 22(10), 3796; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22103796 - 17 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2483
Abstract
With a growing number of electronic devices surrounding our daily life, it becomes increasingly important to create solutions for clear and simple communication and interaction at the human machine interface (HMI). Haptic feedback solutions play an important role as they give a clear [...] Read more.
With a growing number of electronic devices surrounding our daily life, it becomes increasingly important to create solutions for clear and simple communication and interaction at the human machine interface (HMI). Haptic feedback solutions play an important role as they give a clear direct link and response to the user. This work demonstrates multifunctional haptic feedback devices based on fully printed piezoelectric transducers realized with functional polymers on thin paper substrate. The devices are flexible; lightweight and show very high out-of-plane deflection of 213 µm at a moderate driving voltage of 50 Vrms (root mean square) achieved by an innovative multilayer design with up to five individually controllable active layers. The device creates a very clear haptic sensation to the human skin with a blocking force of 0.6 N at the resonance frequency of 320 Hz, which is located in the most sensitive range of the human fingertip. Additionally the transducer generates audible information above two kilohertz with a remarkable high sound pressure level. Thus the paper-based approach can be used for interactive displays in combination with touch sensation; sound and color prints. The work gives insights into the manufacturing process; the electrical characteristics; and an in-depth analysis of the 3D deflection of the device under variable conditions Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flexible Piezoelectric Transducers and Applications Based on Sensors and Actuators)
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9 pages, 1650 KiB  
Communication
Rotating Gate-Driven Solution-Processed Triboelectric Transistors
by Hyunji Shin and Dae Yu Kim
Sensors 2022, 22(9), 3309; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22093309 - 26 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2034
Abstract
Among various energy harvesting technologies, triboelectricity is an epoch-making discovery that can convert energy loss caused by the mechanical vibration or friction of parts into energy gain. As human convenience has emerged as an important future value, wireless devices have attracted widespread attention; [...] Read more.
Among various energy harvesting technologies, triboelectricity is an epoch-making discovery that can convert energy loss caused by the mechanical vibration or friction of parts into energy gain. As human convenience has emerged as an important future value, wireless devices have attracted widespread attention; thus, it is essential to extend the duration and lifespan of batteries through energy harvesting or the application of self-powered equipment. Here, we report a transistor, in which the gate rotates and rubs against the dielectric and utilizes the triboelectricity generated rather than the switching voltage of the transistor. The device is a triboelectric transistor with a simple structure and is manufactured using a simple process. Compared to that at the stationary state, the output current of the triboelectric transistor increased by 207.66 times at the maximum rotation velocity. The approach reported in this paper could be an innovative method to enable a transistor to harness its own power while converting energy loss in any rotating object into harvested energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flexible Piezoelectric Transducers and Applications Based on Sensors and Actuators)
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