Flexible Piezoelectric Sensor via 4D Printed Magnetic Spiral
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 4D printing technologies primarily focus on shape changes of printed components, neglecting the potential for controllable changes in property and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A flexible piezoelectric sensor is developed using 4D printing, combining a magnetic part with a conductive part to achieve piezoelectric properties through additive manufacturing, allowing for the sensing of external pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional 3D printing with smart materials is used, then shape change capability is achieved, but property and functionality change remains unachieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of piezoelectric particles dispersed in a flexible polymer matrix. This composite structure enables the material to simultaneously exhibit piezoelectric properties (for functionality change) and mechanical flexibility (for structural integrity), resolving the contradiction between achieving new functionality and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the printing material by incorporating piezoelectric particles with specific properties (piezoelectric coefficient, particle size, concentration) into the polymer matrix. This parameter modification enables the material to generate electrical signals under mechanical stress, achieving functionality change while maintaining structural reliability.
2Reliability
If magnetic particles and conductive particles are separately printed, then material properties are maintained, but piezoelectric functionality cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges magnetic particles and conductive particles into a single composite printing material system. The magnetic particles provide responsiveness to external fields, while the conductive particles form conductive networks, and their combination within the polymer matrix enables piezoelectric sensing functionality that neither material could achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material serves multiple functions simultaneously: the polymer matrix provides structural flexibility, magnetic particles enable field responsiveness, conductive particles create electrical pathways, and the integrated structure generates piezoelectric signals. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between maintaining individual material properties and achieving new sensing capabilities.
3Shape
If 4D printing is applied to achieve shape change, then structural adaptability is improved, but functional property change is neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the concept of 4D printing from only shape parameter changes to include property parameter changes. By incorporating piezoelectric particles, the material not only deforms structurally under stimulus but also changes its electrical properties, generating measurable electrical signals that indicate the degree of deformation or external stimuli.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite materials with piezoelectric particles embedded in the polymer matrix enables simultaneous shape change and property change. The composite structure allows the material to deform mechanically while generating electrical signals, thus achieving both structural adaptability and functional property change required for true 4D printing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sensor achieves new piezoelectric properties and the ability to sense external pressure, demonstrating a change in property and functionality, thereby realizing 4D printing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible piezoelectric sensor based on 4D printing... achieve piezoelectric properties... under the action of external force, the device can generate electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
The piezoelectric effect is derived from the principle of electromagnetic induction. When the substrate is subjected to external pressure, the spiral structure and the magnetic part are compressed simultaneously, the magnetic flux passing through the spiral structure changes, and the voltage of the two substrates changes
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and discloses a flexible piezoelectric sensor based on 4D printing. The sensor includes a magnetic part and a conductive part, wherein: the conductive part includes two substrates disposed opposite to each other and a spiral structure disposed between the two substrates. Both the two substrates and the spiral structure are made of conductive metal materials. The magnetic part has a flexible porous structure and is arranged between the two substrates to generate a magnetic field. When the two substrates are subjected to external pressure, the spiral structure and the magnetic part are compressed simultaneously, the magnetic flux passing through the spiral structure changes, and the voltage of the two substrates changes, by measuring the voltage change of the two substrates to reflect the change of external pressure, the pressure measuring process is achieved.