Piezoelectricity and Its Use in Disturbance Sensing and Control of Flexible Structures: A Survey

Piezoelectric materials are being used at an increasing rate by researchers in the areas of vibration, measurement and control. Due to their distinct features, these materials can be employed in the distributed sensing and control of intelligent structures that have a highly integrated control architecture. By employing piezoelectric materials, it is feasible to achieve an accurate response monitoring and effective control of flexible structures. In this survey paper, the recent research trends addressing piezoelectricity in the context of distributed sensing and control of flexible structures are discussed. A brief history of piezoelectricity is also noted.