• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1021-1029
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• 2001

Rapid prototyping(RP) is a novel technology to create 3D products directly from CAD system. This study proposes a new RP method which uses the PZT ceramic plate to make a Drop-On-Demand liquid jet from the nozzle. The characteristic of drop formation in the new system is investigated both numerically and experimentally. The optimal drop for 3-D Printing can be obtained by the proper amplitude and frequency of the applied voltage. Also the process of the drop formation is analyzed using the pressure wave theory and verified by numerical simulation. First, the pressure wave generated by the deformation of the Piezo-plate at the nozzle is analyzed by solving the 2D axisymmetric wave equation via Finite Element Method. Finally, the drop formation process is simulated using a commercial software, FLOW 3D considering the pressure at the nozzle obtained by solving the wave equation as the boundary condition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.07b
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• pp.946-949
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• 2003

This paper reports on the fluid flow simulation results of a multilayer type piezoelectric valve. The mechanical and fluidic analysis are done by finite element method. The designed structure is normally closed type using buckling effect, which is consist of three separate structures; a valve seat die, an actuator die and a MLCA(Multilayer Type Ceramic Actuator). It is confirmed that the complete laminar flow and the lowest flow leakage are strongly depend on the valve seat geometry. In addition, turbulent flow was occurs in valve outlet according to increase seat dimension, height and inlet pressure. From this, we was deducts the optimum geometry of the valve seat and diaphragm deflection that have an great influence fluid flow in valve. Thus, it is expected that our simulation results would be apply for piezoelectric applications such as valve and pump, fluidic control systems.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.501-515
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• 2014

This paper presents a linear computational homogenization framework to evaluate the effective (or generalized) electromechanical coupling coefficient (EMCC) of adaptive structures with piezoelectric structural fiber (PSF) composite elements. The PSF consists of a silicon carbide (SiC) or carbon core fiber as reinforcement to a fragile piezo-ceramic shell. For the micro-scale analysis, a micromechanics model based on the variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization (VAMUCH) is used to evaluate the overall electromechanical properties of the PSF composites. At the macro-scale, a finite element (FE) analysis with the commercial FE code ABAQUS is performed to evaluate the effective EMCC for structures with the PSF composite patches. The EMCC is postprocessed from free-vibrations analysis under short-circuit (SC) and open-circuit (OC) electrodes of the patches. This linear two-scale computational framework may be useful for the optimal design of active structure multi-functional composites which can be used for multi-functional applications such as structural health monitoring, power harvest, vibration sensing and control, damping, and shape control through anisotropic actuation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to construct multi-element ultrasound applicators for the treatment of gynecologic cancer with high dose rate brachytherapy. For the treatment of uterus, piezo-ceramic crystal transducer (PZT -5A) with outer diameter of 4 mm, wall thickness of 1.3 mm, and length of 24.5 mm was selected. For the treatment of cervix or vagina, it should be possible to insert the applicator into the vagina. Thus, a cylindrical PZT -8 material with outer diameter of 24.5 mm, wall thickness of 1.3 mm, and length of 15.2 mm was selected. The operating frequencies determined by vector impedance measurement were 3.2 MHz for the PZT 5A cylinder (OD=4 mm) and 1.7 MHz for the PZT -8 cylinder (OD: 24.5 mm). The ratios of generated acoustic output power to applied electric power were 33% and 61% for the tandem type crystal and the cylinder type crystal, respectively. The radiated acoustic pressure fields from both transducers were calculated using a Matlab code and measured in water using hydrophone. There was good agreement between measured and calculated acoustic pressure field distribution. For a tandem type transducer, the calculated acoustic pressure field decreased from 0.023 MPa at 10 mm to 0.010 Mpa at 30 mm, the reduction of 57%. For the cylinder type transducer which will be used for the treatment of vagina showed 78% reduction at 15 mm and 66% at 25 mm as compared to values at 5 mm from the surface. Based on the characteristics of the transducers, this study demonstrated the possibility of using the crystals as a heating source. Finally, a 3-element and 4-element prototype applicators were constructed. The 3-element applicator is 75 mm long and 4 mm thick and will be used for the treatment of uterus. The 4-element applicator is 61 mm long and 24.5 mm thick and will be used for the treatment of vagina. Using these applicators, it is possible to generate enough power to increase temperature to therapeutic level.