مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - THE REQUIREMENT FOR PIEZOELECTRIC SMART MATERIAL FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE APPLICATIONS

Abstract :

This paper shall review and contrast on the current and new emerging smart material technology for power harvesting and application of piezoelectric smart materials. Our reliance and dependency on existing fossil fuel have increased many folds in the last few decades. As we further depend on new emerging technology and increase in global population at an unprecedented rate, no doubt out requirements of energy will further increases, to an extent that we may see our self running out or fossil fuel supply faster than initially predicted. Although investment in nuclear technology will largely replace the energy demand, it too has divided opinions. One of the aims of this paper is to highlight the advantages of employing smart material piezoelectric material to generate energy, particularly in terms of voltage to power existing battery supply and in certain cases to eliminate the requirement of finite power source entirely. We shall commence by introducing the history of piezoelectricity and materials characteristics for the ceramic based PZT (lead zirconate titanate), polymer membrane PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and polymer foam PP (polypropylene) which is commercially used. Various poling mechanism (to transform standard material into piezoactive) will be discussed, as well as manufacturing methods. Mostly, PZT piezoelectric material is used in numerous applications due to its superior voltage generating properties. However, PVDF and more recently, PP is being researched and constantly improved to increase the energy output potential since these materials are relatively inexpensive, light, flexible and easily confirms to intricate shapes.