Numerical modeling of shape and topology optimisation of a piezoelectric cantilever beam in an energy-harvesting sensor

Chung Ket Thein, Jing Sheng Liu

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)137-148
Number of pages12
JournalEngineering with Computers
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bimorph cantilever beam
  • Energy harvesting
  • Multi-disciplinary optimisation
  • Piezoelectric
  • Shape and topology optimisation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Modelling and Simulation
  • General Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications

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