In this study, we developed and evaluated a simple device for removing ionic impurities that affect the performance of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in a marine environment. In such environments, PEMFCs may experience performance degradation due to the presence of Na+ and Cl- in the air. To address this issue, the decontamination device was designed with both heating and cooling components. This device was positioned between a humidifier containing NaCl solution and a humidifier containing deionized water, both connected on the cathode side. The decontamination device effectively removed impurities (Na+ and Cl-) during experiments. As a result, the electrochemical performance of the fuel cell with the decontamination device improved compared to that of the fuel cell without it. Notably, the activation resistance and electrochemical surface area were significantly enhanced, and the ohmic resistance also improved when compared to the fuel cell without the decontamination device.

Nonlinear hysteresis effects in piezoelectric fast steering mirrors (FSMs) are major culprits of deteriorating the servo performance and reducing the robustness of a control system. In order to compensate for such nonlinearities, this paper presents an identification and compensation method of piezoelectric hysteresis using frequency response measurements. The relationship between hysteresis curves and frequency response was analyzed using various amplitudes of input voltage and measured output displacements. Results proved that hysteresis curves could be reconstructed based on frequency response measurements. By utilizing an inverse function from reconstructed hysteresis curves, parameters for the compensation model were identified. Experimental results showed that the maximum range of output displacement at the nominal position due to hysteresis was significantly decreased by 76% when the hysteresis model identified by the proposed frequency-domain method was used. In addition, the compensated frequency response showed consistent results regardless of input amplitudes, implying that linear dynamics of the piezoelectric FSM could be separately measured.

The fast steering mirror is now being used in industries beyond precision processing, such as space and defense. The piezoelectric fast steering mirror (PFSM), which utilizes a piezoelectric actuator, is particularly suitable for these industries as they often require devices like electro-optic devices to withstand external vibrations and impacts. While the PFSM has inherent high stiffness, its complex structure makes it difficult to control. To address this, an accurate dynamic model is necessary. In this paper, we derived a dynamic model for the PFSM using a two-inertial system model that takes into account its structural characteristics. This dynamic model consists of both a mechanical system model and an electrical system model. We measured the frequency response function from electrical input to mechanical output and compared it with the derived frequency response model to verify its accuracy. The derived model can be used not only for control design, but also for instrument design and interpretation.

We demonstrate a practical and efficient hybrid triboelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting structure that consists of a nanopatterned and/or metal-deposited polymer film and a piezoelectric elastomeric sponge. When a polymer (here, polycarbonate (PC)) and an elastomer (here, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) make contact with and detach from each other, triboelectric energy can be harvested. In this case, the PC surface can be nanopatterned by continuous dynamic nanoinscribing and/or coated by a metal (here, Cu) layer for enhanced performance. When a piezoelectric material (here, lead zirconate titanate (PZT)) and sugar powder are mixed with PDMS, and the sugar is later dissolved, a porous piezoelectric elastomeric sponge (PES) can be fabricated. When a PC film and a PES make contact with and detach from each other, both triboelectric and piezoelectric energies can be simultaneously harvested. We systematically study the effect of PES and Cu thicknesses and dynamic nanoinscribed nanopattern on the energy harvesting performance of the hybrid triboelectric–piezoelectric nanogenerator (HTPENG). The performance of the HTPENG can be improved by using the PES of optimal thickness, and by applying the nanopattern and Cu layer. The HTPENG can be utilized in many systems where wireless self-powering is desired, such as wearable devices, flexible sensors, and skin electronics.

Recently, with the development of the space, mobility, semiconductor, and precision machinery industries, the processing of precision mechanical parts has been recognized as an important and a high value-added technology. Research on ultra-precision processing is actively underway to produce such products. In addition, eco-friendliness and 0% carbon are emerging as key keywords in modern industrial society, and the need for this is also increasing in the ultra-precision processing field. As the industry advances, environmental issues are becoming a major concern, and in the processing technology field, environmental destruction caused by cutting oil is becoming an issue. To solve this problem, this study measured the movement precision of the global feed system and instaled a Fine Servo that corrects the nm-level movement of the feed system in real time, using a piezoelectric actuator, to finely drive the cutting tool to control the movement necessary for machining. We intended to control variables for ultra-precision machining and measure cutting heat generation in real time to establish a dry cooling method using thermoelectric elements without using cutting oil.

Recently, large-scale accidents caused by minor damage from fatigue failure and impact on structures have been frequently reported. Therefore, a real-time damage monitoring system of structures is considered to be one of the most important technologies to ensure safety in various types of research. The piezoelectric sensor, which has an advantage of converting deformation of a structure into an electrical signal without using an additional power source, has been reported as one of the most suitable methods for real-time monitoring systems. This review aims to describe the structural monitoring system utilizing piezoelectric paint sensors. First, we present the concept of a piezoelectric paint sensor with the advantages of flexibility and piezoelectric performance. Then, factors affecting the performance of the piezoelectric paint sensor are introduced. Finally, an overview of piezoelectric paint sensors for structural monitoring, such as vibration detection and impact monitoring, are provided. The state-of-the-art of the application of the piezoelectric sensor is also introduced, providing feasibility in industrial fields.

In ultra-precision processes, such as aerospace parts and precision mold machining, the accuracy of a feed drive system should be secured to achieve sufficient form accuracy. Dual-Servo stages, which compensate for multi-DOF motion errors, are being developed depending on the applied processes. This paper deals with the fine stage of a dual-servo stage to compensate for 6-DOF motion errors of a linear stage. The proposed fine stage measured 6-DOF errors of the linear stage motion with capacitive sensors, a reference mirror, and an optical encoder. It compensated for the errors using the flexure hinge mechanism with piezo actuators. The error equations and the inverse kinematics were derived to calculate the 6- DOF errors and displacements of piezo actuators for 6-DOF motions, respectively. Performance evaluation was implemented to verify feasibility of the developed fine stage of the fabricated dual-servo stage. Through the step response test of the fine stage, compensation resolutions for the translational and the rotational motion were confirmed to be less than 10 nm and 1/3 arcsec, respectively. The 6-DOF motion errors in the verification test were reduced by 73% on average.

In the framework of the 4th industrial revolution, modern machine-building rapidly converges with IOT technology. This requires very high precision machining of the parts and assemblies, such as electronics, vehicle and components, agricultural and construction machines, optical instruments, and machine tools. However, high precision machinery is quite expensive, and there exists a general need for low-cost equipment. While many researchers are working on this, their major focus is on cutting tools. This study aimed to compensate for errors and enhance machinery precision by adding a servo controller to the processing unit. Consequently, the study is on servo control and processing precision for processing utilizing ECTS (Error Compensation Tool Servo) to compensate for errors.

Recently, applying nanoscale functional materials, there have been great advances in the flexible sensor system, which provides a large number of applications for soft electronics, such as skin-attachable sensors, artificial electronic skins, and soft robotic systems. Here, we developed a highly sensitive and flexible device on the basis of polymeric piezoelectric nanofibers and elastomeric packing structures. To produce the nanofibers, we applied the electrospinning process with a representative piezoelectric co-polymer, poly (vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE). Unlike the conventional electrospinning, we applied an anisotropic fiber collection system, which could obtain uniaxially aligned nanofiber array. The aligned nanofibers were sandwich-packed with bridge-shaped PDMS substrates, thereby integrating the flexible piezoelectric sensor. As an external force made a deflection of the bridge in the sensor, the embedded nanofibers generated piezoelectricity in a longitudinal direction of the fibers. The piezoelectric sensor generated good discernable outputs versus the varied mechanical input deflection from tens of micrometers to the sub-micrometer. With this great sensing ability, we could monitor heart pulse signals on the wrist skin by measuring tiny deflections generated from the expansion of the radial artery underneath the skin. Our study suggests a potential application of flexible sensor in the field of wearable health-monitoring medical systems.

The goal of this study is to develop a fast, controllable PZT-driven depth adjustment device with a flexure hinge. The device can be used to trace rapidly a flat or curved surface with several hundreds of micrometers’ variance in height. The lever type flexure hinge designed for a magnification ratio of 10 and no other axes motion has been confirmed through FEM analysis; the actual performance has been verified through static/dynamic experiments. A micro-depth control system, which is comprised of a DAQ with a LabVIEW, PZT amplifier, PZT actuator, flexure hinge, and laser displacement sensor, is implemented, and its static/dynamic characteristics of depth control is investigated with a PID gain tuned control algorithm on LabVIEW. It has been verified that the developed device can trace a micro-depth command as fast as 0.5 s to get an accurate position of 0.1 μm, even under a load of 1 N.

The aim of this paper is the development of a PZT-driven apparatus for testing the force-deflection behavior of thin 0.1/0.5-㎜-thick plates. Thin plates are widely used as the diaphragm of pressure sensors, as they are much stronger than the thin films with thicknesses of up to several tens of ? that are used in MEMS applications. Therefore, a proper PZT actuator should be selected to acquire the static- and dynamic-material properties of these thin plates to perform testing in terms of the force and frequency responses. Based on the investigation of the PZT characteristics, a test apparatus is developed. It is verified for the Hastelloy C-276 that the static-force deflection, acquired through sample testing, is compatible with the theoretical one; moreover, the dynamic test is available up to approximately 20 ㎐.