Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-55).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2006. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-124).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-100).

The piezoelectric effect of quartz rich rock has been investigated both in the laboratory and a subterranean environment. In the laboratory experiment, rock specimens from the Con Mine, Northwest Territories, were examined for crystal alignment and cut into oriented 3.81 cm (1.5 in) sided cubes. The specimens were clamped, together with the measuring electrodes, between parallel plates of a compression cage designed to apply a consistent and uniform pressure distribution across the samples. A solenoid device applied a stress pulse of highly repeatable amplitude and form to the specimen and an instrumentation amplifier measured the differential piezoelectric voltage between opposite faces of the specimen. The massive samples with random fabrics were expected to yield a net "statistical effect". The measured voltage variations between orthogonal directions were attributed to signal domination by large crystals within the matrix, limited sample volume, microfracturing, and the distribution of non-piezoelectric mineral components within the matrixes of some specimens. The greatest piezoelectric responses were obtained from samples containing large crystals in their matrix. The cubic aggregates which clearly exhibited quartz crystal alignment displayed the theoretically predicted minimum piezoelectric response parallel to the preferred crystal elongation direction. The specimens exhibiting greatest alignment produced the largest piezoelectric responses. The limited experimental evidence indicated that the signal magnitude was also proportional to quartz content and crystal size. Underground trials of two exploration systems were conducted at the Con Mine In the first trial, during periods of low industrial electrical interference, clear piezoelectric signals were observed for source-target distances as large as 55 m and electrode-target distances out to 20 m. Piezoelectric signals were generated by impact of both compressional and shear seismic waves with the exposed quartz vein. While this exploration system operated quite effectively during periods of low electrical noise, a superior filter system was required for the normal conditions. For the second fields test, a more portable, DC powered, instrumentation amplifier with an extensive filter system was designed. Despite the improved filtering, noise levels were significantly higher during this trial and beyond 10 m the initial arrival of the piezoelectric signal was obscured. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

Energy harvesting technologies have drawn much attention as an alternative power source of roadway accessories in different scales. Piezoelectric energy harvesting consisting of PZT piezoceramic disks sealed in a protective package is developed in this work to harness the deformation energy of pavement induced by traveling vehicles and generate electrical energy. Six energy harvesters are fabricated and installed at the weigh station on I-81 at Troutville, VA to perform on-site evaluation. The electrical performance of the installed harvesters is evaluated by measuring the output voltage and current generated under real traffic. Instant and average power outputs are calculated from the measured waveforms of output voltage and current. The analysis of the testing results shows that the electrical productivity of the energy harvesters are highly relevant to the axle configuration and magnitude of passing vehicles. The energy transmission efficiency of the energy harvester is also assessed. / Ph. D.

This work is centered on the modeling, experimental identification, and dynamic interaction of inherently present and intentionally designed nonlinearities of piezoelectric structures focusing on applications to vibration energy harvesting. The following topics are explored in this theoretical and experimental research: (1) frequency bandwidth enhancement using a simple, intentionally designed, geometrically nonlinear M-shaped oscillator for low-intensity base accelerations; (2) multi-term harmonic balance analysis of this structure for primary and secondary resonance behaviors when coupled with piezoelectrics and an electrical load; (3) inherent electroelastic material softening and dissipative nonlinearities for various piezoelectric materials with a dynamical systems approach; and (4) development of a complete approximate analytical multiphysics electroelastic modeling framework accounting for material, dissipative, and strong circuit nonlinearities. The ramifications of this research extend beyond energy harvesting, since inherent nonlinearities of piezoelectric materials are pronounced in various applications including sensing, actuation, and vibration control, which can also benefit from bandwidth enhancement from designed nonlinearities.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Mechanical Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Mechanical Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Hydroxyapatite (HA) bioceramics are commercially available as bone graft substitute materials. The aim of the current research was to characterise the electrical properties of hydroxyapatite-barium titanate (HABT) composites and to assess in vitro biological responses to the composites in order to investigate their potential use as bone graft substitutes. A range of HABT ceramics of different compositions was manufactured and their electrical properties were measured. The microstructure and piezoelectric properties of the ceramics were both dependent on the proportion of barium titanate (BT) present. Composites containing more than 70% BT displayed piezoelectric charge coefficients (d33) of up to 86.3±7.9pCN-1 (95% BT). The ferroelectric nature of the 90 and 95% BT materials was confirmed by assessment of their ferroelectric hysteresis loops. The highest piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g33) recorded was 14x10-3Vm-1Pa-1 (90% BT). Following the assessment of the electrical properties, the HABT ceramic containing 90% BT was selected for the assessment of biological responses to the composites. The proliferation, viability, activity and morphology of human osteoblast-like cells cultured on HABT were comparable to those cultured on hydroxyapatite (HA) up to 7 days after seeding. The remnant polarisation of poled HABT induced an increase in cell attachment. This influence was independent of the nature (positive or negative) of the polarisation. Poling was not found to influence cell morphology, activity or differentiation in the first 7 days of incubation. At 14 days after seeding, results were inconsistent, indicating some variations in cell population and differentiation depending on the composition and poling of the ceramics respectively. This study has substantially defined the electrical properties of a range of HABT ceramics. It indicates their in vitro biocompatibility and thus their potential for use as bone graft substitutes. These results provide a benchmark against which future work investigating the influence of mechanical loading and longer term studies may be measured.

This thesis presents the design and theoretical modeling of an aluminum gallium arsenide/gallium arsenide heterostructure from which suspended nanoscale mechanical resonators with embedded two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) can be made. The mechanical characteristics of the resonator and the piezoelectric actuation scheme are investigated using finite-element modeling. For a 836 nm-long, 250 nm-wide and 164 nm-thick beam with gold electrodes on top, out-of-plane flexural vibrations are verified to be piezoelectrically excited at the beam's fundamental frequency of 925.6 MHz. Fabrication recipes for the making of ohmic contacts to the 2DEG, Hall bars and suspended structures are developed using the designed crystal structure. Electrical properties of the 2DEG are evaluated in both large, unsuspended structures as well as in sub-micron size suspended structures. It is found that the 2DEG has a reasonable electron density of 7.04E11 cm^-2 and electron mobility of 1.72E5 cm^2/(V s). / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2007-09-28 10:13:56.094