Characterization of the Mechanical and Piezoelectric Properties of Polymer Fibers
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Research Advisor
Wojnar, Charles
Advisor's Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
The development of piezoelectric materials has enabled new realms of fine precision motors, sensors, and generators. The most commonly used piezoelectrics are ceramics. Less commonly used are also piezoelectric polymers such as polyvinylidene-fluoride (PVDF). PVDF has applications in the biomedical industry as a sanitary and sensing material, as well as having applications in the aerospace industry as a sensing material for skins and structures. Most of the information regarding the piezoelectric properties of PVDF applies only to a woven mat of polymer created through the electrospinning process. This study aims to characterize the Young’s Modulus and direct piezoelectric effect constant of an individual fiber of the PVDF polymer. To this end, an experimental setup that was constructed during a previous OURE project will be utilized, which has the capability to apply mechanical stresses to fibers while measuring the voltage generated by the fiber.
Biography
Andrew Hedlund is an undergraduate student researcher with the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is a junior in aerospace engineering, focusing on structural analysis and applications. In 2016 he began studying the optimization of testing piezoelectric fibers and in March 2017 developed a cantilever beam tensile testing setup which minimized ambient noise and reduced error due to friction loss. Andrew is due to graduate with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering in May 2018.
Presentation Type
OURE Fellows Proposal Oral Applicant
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Turner Room
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2017, 10:40 am - 11:00 am
Characterization of the Mechanical and Piezoelectric Properties of Polymer Fibers
Turner Room
The development of piezoelectric materials has enabled new realms of fine precision motors, sensors, and generators. The most commonly used piezoelectrics are ceramics. Less commonly used are also piezoelectric polymers such as polyvinylidene-fluoride (PVDF). PVDF has applications in the biomedical industry as a sanitary and sensing material, as well as having applications in the aerospace industry as a sensing material for skins and structures. Most of the information regarding the piezoelectric properties of PVDF applies only to a woven mat of polymer created through the electrospinning process. This study aims to characterize the Young’s Modulus and direct piezoelectric effect constant of an individual fiber of the PVDF polymer. To this end, an experimental setup that was constructed during a previous OURE project will be utilized, which has the capability to apply mechanical stresses to fibers while measuring the voltage generated by the fiber.
