Actuation of flexoelectric cylindrical shell panel with line electrodes

The phenomenon of stress induced by inhomogeneous electric field is known as the converse flexoelectric effect. It can be used in precision actuation and control applications. In this study, a line electrode is used to actuate a flexoelectric cylindrical shell panel based on the converse flexoelectric effect. The influences of different parameters to modal actuation effects are studied. It shows that when the cylindrical shell panel changes its geometries, e.g., length, thickness, curvature angle, etc., both the panel stiffness and the distribution of electric field, which related to induced flexoelectric control moment and membrane force, also change. And as the increase of panel's thickness, actuation effect decreases. But the increase of panel's curvature angle and length enhances the actuation effect.