| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L90484/01 |
| Title: |
THE DEGRADATION OF PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMICS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Alford, Professor N |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Engineering Systems |
| Organisation: |
London South Bank University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
28 September 1998 |
Ends: |
27 September 2001 |
Value (£): |
50,838
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The objective of the proposed research is to improve the current understanding of the mechanical origin of effects that influence the electromechanical behaviour of piezoelectric ceramics. In particular the degradation of their piezoelectric and mechanical properties which will ultimately limit their performance and potential applications. Piezoelectric ceramics are already used widely for mechanical actuators, ultrasonic applications, resonators and load sensors. For most applications they do not require high strength, but more importantly they do require long term stability and reliability. The electrical and mechanical cycling of piezoeletrics, however, can cause irreversible microstructural damage in the form of microcracking and reversible damage in the form of ferroelectric domain reorientation. This leads to non-reproducibility and degradation of electromechanical properties and increased electrical and mechanical losses. It is well known, for instance, that the performance of piezoelectric displacement actuators degrade during long-term applications. The problem is becoming more important as components are increasingly being used in applications that subject them to relatively large cyclic electrical and mechanical loading.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.lsbu.ac.uk |