Effect of the lattice mismatch on the efficiency of the GaAs nanowire/Si substrate solar cell

The effect of the crystal lattice mismatch between single p-GaAs nanowire grown on p-Si substrate on the solar cell efficiency is studied. The study is performed by measuring the I-V curves under red (wavelength=650 nm) laser illumination. The measurement of the single nanowire was done by conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM). The measured curve was reproduced by numerical simulations accounting piezoresistance and piezoelectric effects. The analysis demonstrated the presence of the tensile (2%) zinc blend insert at the interface between nanowire and substrate induced by crystal lattices mismatch. Strained insert at the interface changes the polarity of the photogenerated current and increases the efficiency by 2 times.

A Phononic Crystal with Differently Configured Double Defects for Broadband Elastic Wave Energy Localization and Harvesting

Several previous studies have been dedicated to incorporating double defect modes of a phononic crystal (PnC) into piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) systems to broaden the bandwidth. However, these prior studies are limited to examining an identical configuration of the double defects. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a new design concept for PnCs that examines differently configured double defects for broadband elastic wave energy localization and harvesting. For example, a square-pillar-type unit cell is considered and a defect is considered to be a structure where one piezoelectric patch is bonded to a host square lattice in the absence of a pillar. When the double defects introduced in a PnC are sufficiently distant from each other to implement decoupling behaviors, each defect oscillates like a single independent defect. Here, by differentiating the geometric dimensions of two piezoelectric patches, the defects’ dissimilar equivalent inertia and stiffness contribute to individually manipulating defect bands that correspond to each defect. Hence, with adequately designed piezoelectric patches that consider both the piezoelectric effects on shift patterns of defect bands and the characteristics for the output electric power obtained from a single-defect case, we can successfully localize and harvest the elastic wave energy transferred in broadband frequencies.

Single Vibration Mode Standing Wave Tubular Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Motor

The objective of this thesis is to report the single vibration mode standing wave tubular piezoelectric ultrasonic motors developed. Piezoelectric motors are driven by reverse piezoelectric effects which converts an input of ultrasonic frequency of electrical energy into an output of mechanical movement. There are many advantages of piezoelectric ultrasonic motors compared to electromagnetic motors such as simple structure, high energy density, and high torque at low speed. Three prototypes are designed and fabricated. Two motors are fabricated using PZT cylindrical tube; one with PZT teeth and the other with metal teeth. A third motor using brass tube with PZT plates attached is fabricated. After design and fabrication of three prototypes, the performances of the motors are tested using a test apparatus for speed and torque.

Single Vibration Mode Standing Wave Tubular Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Motor

The objective of this thesis is to report the single vibration mode standing wave tubular piezoelectric ultrasonic motors developed. Piezoelectric motors are driven by reverse piezoelectric effects which converts an input of ultrasonic frequency of electrical energy into an output of mechanical movement. There are many advantages of piezoelectric ultrasonic motors compared to electromagnetic motors such as simple structure, high energy density, and high torque at low speed. Three prototypes are designed and fabricated. Two motors are fabricated using PZT cylindrical tube; one with PZT teeth and the other with metal teeth. A third motor using brass tube with PZT plates attached is fabricated. After design and fabrication of three prototypes, the performances of the motors are tested using a test apparatus for speed and torque.

Axial guided wave characteristics in functionally graded one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasi-crystal cylinders

In one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasi-crystals, there exist the phonon–phason, electro–phonon, and electro–phason couplings. Therefore, the phonon–phason coupling and piezoelectric effects on axial guided wave characteristics in one-dimensional hexagonal functionally graded piezoelectric quasi-crystal (FGPQC) cylinders are investigated by utilizing the Legendre polynomial series method. The dispersion curves and cut-off frequencies are illustrated. Wave characteristics in three hollow cylinders with different quasi-periodic directions are comparatively studied. Some new wave phenomena are revealed: the phonon–phason coupling and piezoelectric effects on the longitudinal and torsional phonon modes ( N = 0) vary as the quasi-periodic direction changes; the phonon–phason coupling effect on flexural–torsional modes in the r-, z-FGPQC hollow cylinders, and on flexural–longitudinal modes in ϑ-FGPQC hollow cylinders increases as N increases. The corresponding results obtained in this work lay the theoretical foundation for the design and manufacture of piezoelectric transducers with high resolution and energy-conversion efficiency.