Topology optimization of flexoelectric structures

verfasst von: Srivilliputtur Subbiah Nanthakumar, Xiaoying Zhuang, Harold S. Park, Timon Rabczuk
Abstract: We present a mixed finite element formulation for flexoelectric nanostructures that is coupled with topology optimization to maximize their intrinsic material performance with regards to their energy conversion potential. Using Barium Titanate (BTO) as the model flexoelectric material, we demonstrate the significant enhancement in energy conversion that can be obtained using topology optimization. We also demonstrate that non-smooth surfaces can play a key role in the energy conversion enhancements obtained through topology optimization. Finally, we examine the relative benefits of flexoelectricity, and surface piezoelectricity on the energy conversion efficiency of nanobeams. We find that the energy conversion efficiency of flexoelectric nanobeams is comparable to the energy conversion efficiency obtained from nanobeams whose electromechanical coupling occurs through surface piezoelectricity, but are ten times thinner. Overall, our results not only demonstrate the utility and efficiency of flexoelectricity as a nanoscale energy conversion mechanism, but also its relative superiority as compared to piezoelectric or surface piezoelectric effects.
Organisationseinheit(en): Institut für Kontinuumsmechanik
Externe Organisation(en): Tongji University
Boston University (BU)
Duy Tan University
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Typ: Artikel
Journal: Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids
Band: 105
Seiten: 217-234
Anzahl der Seiten: 18
ISSN: 0022-5096
Publikationsdatum: 17.05.2017
Publikationsstatus: Veröffentlicht
Peer-reviewed: Ja
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete: Physik der kondensierten Materie, Werkstoffmechanik, Maschinenbau
Elektronische Version(en): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2017.05.010 (Zugang: Geschlossen)
: Details im Forschungsportal „Research@Leibniz University“

BibTeX

@article{d7b922aa44b64a898edc3f6650b4ec76,
title = "Topology optimization of flexoelectric structures",
abstract = "We present a mixed finite element formulation for flexoelectric nanostructures that is coupled with topology optimization to maximize their intrinsic material performance with regards to their energy conversion potential. Using Barium Titanate (BTO) as the model flexoelectric material, we demonstrate the significant enhancement in energy conversion that can be obtained using topology optimization. We also demonstrate that non-smooth surfaces can play a key role in the energy conversion enhancements obtained through topology optimization. Finally, we examine the relative benefits of flexoelectricity, and surface piezoelectricity on the energy conversion efficiency of nanobeams. We find that the energy conversion efficiency of flexoelectric nanobeams is comparable to the energy conversion efficiency obtained from nanobeams whose electromechanical coupling occurs through surface piezoelectricity, but are ten times thinner. Overall, our results not only demonstrate the utility and efficiency of flexoelectricity as a nanoscale energy conversion mechanism, but also its relative superiority as compared to piezoelectric or surface piezoelectric effects.",
author = "Nanthakumar, {Srivilliputtur Subbiah} and Xiaoying Zhuang and Park, {Harold S.} and Timon Rabczuk",
note = "Funding information: Authors Xiaoying Zhuang and S.S.Nanthakumar thankfully acknowledge the funding from Sofja Kovalevskaja Award (X. Zhuang in 2015), State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis for Industrial Equipment (GZ1607). Author Timon Rabczuk acknowledge the financial support by European Research Council for COMBAT project (Grant number 615132). Harold Park acknowledges the support of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Boston University.",
year = "2017",
month = may,
day = "17",
doi = "10.1016/j.jmps.2017.05.010",
language = "English",
volume = "105",
pages = "217--234",
journal = "Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids",
issn = "0022-5096",
publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",
}