Nano Piezoelectric Device Core-Shell Nanowire Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thick-film piezoelectric materials face challenges in miniaturization and practical application due to high Young's modulus, high sintering temperatures, and toxicity, limiting their use in portable devices and flexible substrates.
Innovation Solution
A nano piezoelectric device is developed, comprising a conductive wire core, such as carbon nanotubes, and a piezoelectric material-coated wire shell, with a structure support and deformation auxiliary patterns, allowing for enhanced mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, enabling efficient energy harvesting from deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thick-film piezoelectric materials are used, then excellent piezoelectric characteristics are achieved, but high sintering temperatures and toxicity limit applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from bulk/thick-film piezoelectric materials to nanowire structures. This dimensional parameter change enables the use of materials like ZnO that can be synthesized at lower temperatures while maintaining or improving piezoelectric properties, thereby resolving the contradiction between excellent piezoelectric characteristics and high sintering temperature requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures, specifically core-shell nanowires where a conductive core (such as metal or carbon nanotube) is combined with a piezoelectric shell (such as ZnO). This composite approach enables low-temperature synthesis while achieving both electrical conductivity and piezoelectric functionality, resolving the toxicity and temperature limitations of traditional materials
2Power
If thick-film piezoelectric materials are stacked in multi-layered structure, then electric generating capacity is increased, but volume and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional thick-film structures to one-dimensional nanowire structures. This dimensional change allows the piezoelectric material to generate electricity through longitudinal deformation along the wire axis, enabling high power output in a compact volume and resolving the contradiction between electric generating capacity and device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the piezoelectric material into individual nanowire units that can be densely packed. Each nanowire acts as an independent energy harvesting element, and their collective output provides high electric generating capacity without requiring large volume or area, thus resolving the size-power contradiction
3Power
If thick-film piezoelectric materials are used, then electric generating capacity is achieved, but miniaturization is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the one-dimensional nanowire structure where the piezoelectric effect occurs along the longitudinal axis. This enables effective energy harvesting in a highly miniaturized form factor, as the nanowires can be integrated into compact arrays while maintaining electric generating capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between power output and miniaturization
4Reliability
If thick-film piezoelectric materials are used, then piezoelectric effect is utilized, but bending tolerance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film nanowire structures that inherently possess high flexibility and bending tolerance compared to thick-film materials. The nanoscale dimensions and high surface-to-volume ratio of the wires enable them to withstand repeated bending while maintaining piezoelectric functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between piezoelectric reliability and bending tolerance
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 nano piezoelectric device achieves improved mechanical and electrical characteristics, maximizing deformation per unit volume, enhancing energy generation efficiency, and facilitating integration into miniaturized, flexible, and portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
Piezoelectric devices use the piezoelectric principle to convert deformation induced by physical force to electrical energy. When the piezoelectric material between the two electrodes is physically deformed, e.g. compressed, expanded, or bent, electricity is produced in proportion to the amount of the deformation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a nano piezoelectric device and a method of forming the nano piezoelectric device. The nano piezoelectric device includes a lower electrode, a nanowire extending upward from the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the nanowire. The nanowire includes a conductive wire core and a wire shell surrounding the wire core and including a piezoelectric material.