Multi-physics property evaluation and actuation response of first-order fractal-inspired photostrictive composites: a finite element analysis

IF 7.1 2区材料科学 Q1 MATERIALS SCIENCE, COMPOSITES

Composite Structures Pub Date : 2025-09-17 DOI:10.1016/j.compstruct.2025.119671

Manish Kumar Sharma , Diwakar Singh , Reeta Chauhan , Rajeev Kumar , Vishal Singh Chauhan

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Abstract

A photostrictive actuator helps the smart structure to be actuated wirelessly. Researchers are attempting to enhance its actuation response. This research article explores first-order fractal-inspired photostrictive 3–3 composites to enhance the actuation response of photostrictive actuators. The proposed structure has been considered and designed for enhanced multifunctional actuation. This configuration consists of piezoelectric PMN-35PT reinforcements and photovoltaic PTB7-Th as a matrix, enabling opto-electro-mechanical coupling. All effective material properties were evaluated using a representative volume element (RVE) approach for fiber aspect ratios (L/D = 2, 2.5, 3). Actuation performance was analyzed under 60 mW/cm² light irradiation using the finite element method. Maximum deflections for the cantilever beam decreased from −3.77 × 10⁻³ m (L/D = 2) to −1.45 × 10⁻³ m (L/D = 3), the simply supported beam 4.71 × 10⁻⁴ m (L/D = 2) to 1.81 × 10⁻⁴ m (L/D = 3), and clamped square plate shows 1.6 × 10⁻⁴ m (L/D = 2) demonstrating the tunability of actuation response. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a photostrictive actuator based on a first-order fractal-inspired composites, modelled via fully-coupled multiphysics finite-element framework. This study highlights the potential of fractal-inspired photostrictive composites for applications in aerospace, robotics, and MEMS, where adaptive material performance is crucial.

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一阶分形激发光致伸缩复合材料的多物理场性能评价与驱动响应：有限元分析

光致伸缩致动器有助于无线驱动智能结构。研究人员正试图增强它的驱动反应。本文研究了一阶分形启发的光致伸缩3-3复合材料，以提高光致伸缩作动器的驱动响应。所提出的结构已被考虑和设计为增强多功能驱动。该结构由压电PMN-35PT增强材料和光伏PTB7-Th作为基体组成，实现了光电耦合。使用纤维长径比（L/D = 2,2.5, 3）的代表性体积元（RVE）方法评估所有有效材料的性能。采用有限元法分析了60 mW/cm2光照射下的驱动性能。悬臂梁的最大挠度从- 3.77 × 10−3 m （L/D = 2）降至- 1.45 × 10−3 m (L/D = 3)，简支梁的最大挠度从4.71 × 10−4 m （L/D = 2）降至1.81 × 10−4 m (L/D = 3)，夹持方板的最大挠度为1.6 × 10−4 m (L/D = 2)，显示了驱动响应的可调性。据我们所知，这是基于一阶分形启发复合材料的光致伸缩驱动器的首次演示，通过全耦合多物理场有限元框架建模。这项研究强调了分形启发的光致伸缩复合材料在航空航天、机器人和MEMS领域的应用潜力，在这些领域，自适应材料性能至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Composite Structures 工程技术-材料科学：复合

CiteScore

12.00

自引率

12.70%

发文量

1246

审稿时长

78 days

期刊介绍： The past few decades have seen outstanding advances in the use of composite materials in structural applications. There can be little doubt that, within engineering circles, composites have revolutionised traditional design concepts and made possible an unparalleled range of new and exciting possibilities as viable materials for construction. Composite Structures, an International Journal, disseminates knowledge between users, manufacturers, designers and researchers involved in structures or structural components manufactured using composite materials. The journal publishes papers which contribute to knowledge in the use of composite materials in engineering structures. Papers deal with design, research and development studies, experimental investigations, theoretical analysis and fabrication techniques relevant to the application of composites in load-bearing components for assemblies, ranging from individual components such as plates and shells to complete composite structures.