(Press-News.org) Piezoelectric materials have long been celebrated for their ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, making them indispensable in smart systems for sensing, actuation, and vibration control. However, incorporating porosity and multidirectional grading into these materials introduces a host of challenges in understanding their behavior under varying environmental conditions. These complexities are further compounded by the interaction of hygrothermal conditions with electrical and mechanical loads. As a result, there is a pressing need for more in-depth research to predict the real-world performance of these materials.
Published (DOI: 10.1002/msd2.70003) in the International Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics on March 22, 2025, this pioneering study sheds light on the bending and deflection responses of porous, multidirectional nanofunctionally graded piezoelectric (NFGP) plates under the influence of hygrothermal and electromechanical loading. Spearheaded by Pawan Kumar from Chulalongkorn University and Suraj Prakash Harsha from IIT Roorkee, the research employs a cutting-edge high-order finite element model to investigate how variations in material properties and external conditions impact the performance of these advanced materials.
The research emphasizes the critical need to model the complex interactions between multidirectional graded piezoelectric materials and their supporting foundations under diverse loading conditions. A key contribution of this work is its exploration of different porosity distributions and material laws—including Power, Exponential, and Sigmoid—to better capture the full spectrum of behaviors exhibited by NFGP plates. Utilizing nonlocal piezoelasticity theory and a nine-node quadrilateral Lagrangian element, the model simulates six degrees of freedom, offering a robust platform for analysis. A thorough parametric study examined the effects of factors such as hygrothermal and electrical loading, foundation stiffness, material exponent variations, and thickness ratios. The findings reveal that these factors interact in ways that significantly affect both the mechanical and electrical responses of the plates, offering valuable insights for optimizing smart structures and systems.
"Understanding how piezoelectric materials perform in complex environments is vital for designing smarter, more efficient systems," says Dr. Kumar. "This study lays the groundwork for the development of materials that not only respond to mechanical and electrical stimuli but also adapt to challenging hygrothermal conditions—a key requirement for applications in aerospace and biomedicine."
The insights from this study are poised to impact the design and optimization of intelligent materials and structures, especially in fields like aerospace and biomedicine. A deeper understanding of how material grading, porosity, and environmental factors interact will empower engineers to create more durable and efficient smart materials. These materials could be pivotal in a wide array of applications, from energy harvesting systems to smart panels designed for vibration control and thermal stress mitigation in high-performance settings. The potential for these innovations to enhance the functionality and resilience of future technologies is immense.
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References
DOI
10.1002/msd2.70003
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1002/msd2.70003
About International Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics
International Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics (IJMSD) is an open-access journal that aims to systematically reveal the vital effect of mechanical system dynamics on the whole lifecycle of modern industrial equipment. The mechanical systems may vary in different scales and are integrated with electronic, electrical, optical, thermal, magnetic, acoustic, aero, fluidic systems, etc. The journal welcomes research and review articles on dynamics concerning advanced theory, modeling, computation, analysis, software, design, control, manufacturing, testing, and evaluation of general mechanical systems.
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Porous and powerful: How multidirectional grading enhances piezoelectric plate performance
2025-04-16
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