Large-Scale Piezoelectric-Based Systems for More Electric Aircraft Applications

A new approach in the development of aircraft and aerospace industry is geared toward increasing use of electric systems. An electromechanical (EM) piezoelectric-based system is one of the potential technologies that can produce a compactable system with a fast response and a high power density. However, piezoelectric materials generate a small strain, of around 0.1–0.2% of the original actuator length, limiting their potential in large-scale applications. This paper reviews the potential amplification mechanisms for piezoelectric-based systems targeting aerospace applications. The concepts, structural designs, and operation conditions of each method are summarized and compared. This review aims to provide a good understanding of piezoelectric-based systems toward selecting suitable designs for potential aerospace applications and an outlook for novel designs in the near future. View Full-Text

Keywords: piezoelectric stack; amplification mechanism; quasi-static stepped system; ultrasonic system; piezoelectric-hydraulic; aerospace applications

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Vo, T.V.K.; Lubecki, T.M.; Chow, W.T.; Gupta, A.; Li, K.H.H. Large-Scale Piezoelectric-Based Systems for More Electric Aircraft Applications. Micromachines 2021, 12, 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12020140

AMA Style

Vo TVK, Lubecki TM, Chow WT, Gupta A, Li KHH. Large-Scale Piezoelectric-Based Systems for More Electric Aircraft Applications. Micromachines. 2021; 12(2):140. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12020140

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vo, Tran V.K., Tomasz M. Lubecki, Wai T. Chow, Amit Gupta, and King H.H. Li. 2021. "Large-Scale Piezoelectric-Based Systems for More Electric Aircraft Applications" Micromachines 12, no. 2: 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12020140

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Tran Vy Khanh Vo

Vo Tran Vy Khanh obtained a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering (Honors) from the Ho Chi Minh University of Technology in 2014. She enrolled at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2015 and received a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in January 2020. Her PhD research is about high-performance robotics with soft active systems. After that, Khanh joined [email protected] Corporate Lab at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) as a Research Fellow. Her current research is on the novel electromechanical actuators for aerospace applications. She also extends her research interests to soft robotics, the physics of electroactive materials, and other electromechanical transducers’ applications, including generators and sensors.

Tomasz Marek Lubecki

Tomasz Marek Lubecki is an Electromechanical system and electrical actuation capability lead in Rolls-Royce Electrical. He obtained his PhD in Robotics from the National University of Singapore, MSc, and B.Eng in Robotics & Automation from Warsaw University of Technology 2006 and 2004, respectively. His interest is in complex electromechanical systems, inertial systems analysis, and multi-DoF systems control. He is a recipient of the Sir Henry Royce award and a member of IEEE.

Wai Tuck Chow

Chow Wai Tuck joined Nanyang Technological University since 2017 as Senior Lecturer in School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He received his PhD from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1996, MSc from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1991, and BSc from the University of Washington in 1989. His research areas are on electromechanical system and fracture mechanics for aerospace industry. He has 20 years of working experience in the aviation industry focusing on Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO). He had previously worked in Pratt and Whitney as well as Republic of Singapore Air Force. He was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore. Over the years, he had filed 6 patents in jet engine design and manufacturing technology.

Amit Gupta

Amit Gupta is a Chief of Rolls-Royce Electrical Singapore. He holds a Bachelor degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Roorkee and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the National University of Singapore (NUS). During 2000-12, he worked for Bechtel Corporation, Samsung Heavy Industries, Delphi Automotive Systems, and Vestas Wind Systems. Since August 2012, he has been Chief of Rolls-Royce Electrical (RRE) at Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte Ltd. He is Director of the Electrical Programme at [email protected] Corporate lab. He is an Associate Editor for IEEE Transitions on Power Electronics and plays an active role in organizing electrical power engineering conferences in Asia. He is a Fellow of the IET and a Chartered Engineer from Engineering Council UK, and a Fellow of IEEE.

King Ho Holden Li

Holden Li graduated in NUS with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) in 1997. In 2000 Holden enrolled in Stanford University for his graduate studies under Professor Thomas Kenny. He was awarded his MSc and PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2001 and 2005, respectively. Back in Singapore in September 2005, Holden led a research team in MEMS sensors research effort in the area of MEMS R&D and reliability study. He is currently holding a concurrent appointment of Micro Sensors Research Director in Temasek Laboratories at NTU. Beyond this, Holden’s passion for research and development in microelectronics, aerospace, and BioMEMS, coupled with his strong academic interest in the area of micro and nanotechnology, propelled him to seek for funding opportunities in these areas. He is currently working closely with several senior faculties in the area of microelectronics and MEMS research both in NTU and Temasek Laboratories at NTU.

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Large-Scale Piezoelectric-Based Systems for More Electric Aircraft Applications

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