A three-dimensional and bi-objective topological optimization approach based on piezoelectric energy harvester

Abstract

Topological optimization can realize the optimization of the mass distribution in the whole objective domain. Compared with morphology and size optimization, it has a higher degree of freedom. In this work, the three-dimensional topological optimization based on piezoelectric materials was discussed. Using the Optimality Criteria, topology optimization was applied to the cantilever piezoelectric transducer. The structure optimization was realized with the voltage and stiffness as the multi-objective function. The corresponding codes are given to show the process of optimization. With 70% of the origin volume, the bi-objective optimization increases the global stiffness by 50.9% and the voltage by 30%. As the iteration process shows, the results of bi-objective optimization prove the value of additive mass at the bottom of the cantilever. This lays the foundation for future piezoelectric transducer structural optimization. Using only stiffness as the objective, the final objective increases inconspicuously. Bi-objective optimization shows its superiority. There are quite a few papers that research the combination of stiffness and voltage, and research which studies three-dimensionality is a point of innovation. Furthermore, this is also the first time a piezoelectric topology code has been shared.