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The traditional finite element model has the problems of high computational cost，more black-box operation，and lack of independent intellectual right. The analytical method is used to study the prediction of the vibration response of aircraft wall panels with macro fiber composite（MFC）patches under basic harmonic excitation. Based on classical laminate plate theory，electro mechanical coupling constitutive equations，and the energy method，the analytical model of the MFC-panel system under basic harmonic excitation is established. By employing velocity feedback control method and modal superposition principle，the vibration response of the structure system before and after active control under such an excitation load is successfully solved. The analytical model and its predictive results are extensively validated through the integration of literature data and experimental data obtained from a vibration testing system that is assembled. The results show that，compared to the literature results，the maximum deviation in the calculation of natural frequencies by the proposed model is less than 2%. Additionally，the maximum error in predicting the first two order resonance responses by the model is less than 8.6 %，and both of them are within an acceptable range.

Precision micro-manipulation tasks demand high-speed motion but low driving frequency for stick-slip actuators to achieve efficient operation and reduce friction wear. This paper presents a novel parasitic-type linear stick-slip actuator with macro fiber composites (MFCs). Unlike conventional piezoelectric actuators, the proposed stick-slip actuator has large single-step displacements and high motion consistency. It can realize high-speed motion under low driving frequency due to the superior properties of MFCs and the dual-drive method with a single driving foot. The actuator is devised based on a multi-beam-compliant driving mechanism, a pair of MFCs, and a slider. Also, an electromechanical dynamic model is proposed. A switching control strategy guarantees high positioning accuracy under large strokes. Finally, an experimental system is built. The single-step displacement can reach 367.7 μm with the dual-drive method. The actuator still has an effective stepping displacement of 63.4 μm even with a load of 2.1 kg. The maximal speed is 131.80 mm/s at a working frequency of 450 Hz. Thus, the actuator can realize mm/s motion with several Hertz driving voltages. Moreover, the maximum forward-reverse deviation only accounts for 1.31 % for a 2504 μm motion range, and the closed-loop motion resolution is 1.970 nm. Experiments verify the effectiveness and performance of the designed MFC stick-slip actuator. [Display omitted] • Macro-fiber-composite stick-slip actuator with large single-step displacements. • High forward-reverse motion consistency. • Electromechanical dynamic model for the MFC stick-slip actuator. • Nanoscale motion resolution using feedback control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFlexible structures driven by smart actuators are promising alternatives for aquatic bionic propulsion vehicles. However, the hydrodynamic effects induced by viscous fluids on the dynamic response of flexible structures remain an ongoing challenge. Thus, this article presents a fluid-structure interaction dynamic model of a flexible underwater structure actuated by macro fiber composite actuators, and the underwater multimodal vibration characteristics are studied. The model is based on the extended Hamilton’s principle, which considers the effects of hydrodynamic forces. The segmented mode shape functions of the flexible structure are derived using the assumed mode method. The study shows that the first two mode shapes of the beam predicted by the model agrees with the experimental results. The underwater dynamic responses of the flexible structure in a board band covering the first two resonance frequencies are also investigated at different actuation levels. The underwater results indicate that the first two resonance frequencies are 1.05 and 6.1 Hz respectively, basically consistent with the simulation ones (1.07 and 6.61 Hz). Correspondingly, the maximum transverse deflections at the end of the beam are 4.81 and 1.31 mm respectively, which are slightly lower than the predicted values of 5.75 and 1.62 mm. Therefore, the validity of the proposed coupled dynamic model is verified, which can be utilized to predict the multimodal dynamic responses of underwater flexible structures actuated by MFC or other smart actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this article is an experimental analysis of the control system of a composite-based piezoelectric actuator and an aluminum-based piezoelectric actuator. Analysis was performed for both the unimorph and bimorph structures. To carry out laboratory research, two piezoelectric actuators with a cantilever sandwich beam structure were manufactured. In the first beam, the carrier layer was made of glass-reinforced epoxy composite (FR4), and in the second beam, it was made of 1050 aluminum. A linear mathematical model of both actuators was also developed. A modification of the method of selecting weights in the LQR control algorithm for a cantilever-type piezoelectric actuator was proposed. The weights in the R matrix for the actuator containing a carrier layer made of stiffer material should be smaller than those for the actuator containing a carrier layer made of less stiff material. Additionally, regardless of the carrier layer material, in the case of a bimorph, the weight in the R matrix that corresponds to the control voltage of the compressing MFC patch should be smaller than the weight corresponding to the control voltage of the stretching MFC patch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on addressing the issue of unwanted vibrations commonly encountered in various fields by designing an Active Vibration Cancellation (AVC) structure using a flexible piezoelectric composite material macro fiber composite (MFC). A comparative performance analysis was conducted between the AVC and a traditional passive gel that continuously absorbs vibrations. The results showed that AVC was more effective in mitigating vibrations, making it a promising solution for vibration control. The results of this study from extensive vibration–sensing experiments and comparisons revealed that AVC effectively cancels the vibrations and vibration absorption performance of the passive gel. These findings underline the potential of AVC as an efficient method for eliminating and managing undesired vibrations in practical applications. Specifically, AVC demonstrated a high vibration cancellation ratio of approximately 0.96 at frequencies above 10 Hz. In contrast, passive gel exhibited a relatively consistent vibration absorption ratio, approximately 0.70 to 0.75 at all tested frequencies. These quantitative findings emphasize the superior performance of AVC in reducing vibrations to levels below a certain threshold, demonstrating its efficacy for vibration control in real-world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a comparison of hysteresis courses in the motion of a two-input actuator (bimorph) and hysteresis in the motion of a single-input actuator (unimorph). The comparison was based on the results of laboratory and numerical experiments, the subject of which was an actuator built of three layers: a carrier layer from a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate and two piezoelectric layers from Macro Fiber Composite. The layers were glued together, and electrodes in the Macro Fiber Composite layers were connected to a system that included an analogue/digital board and a voltage amplifier. The main purpose of this research was to compare the characteristic points of the hysteresis curves of the displacement of the bimorph actuator with the characteristic points of the hysteresis curves of the unimorph actuator. Based on the research results, it was noticed that, in the bimorph, the maximum hysteresis and mean hysteresis values increase faster than the maximum displacement of a beam tip. However, values of characteristic input voltages for hysteresis loops—voltage corresponding to a maximum displacement of the actuator beam tip and voltage corresponding to maximum hysteresis—are almost the same for the bimorph and unimorph. From a practical point of view, it was noticed that the unimorph is a better choice compared to the bimorph in applications in which high changes in frequencies of input voltages appear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes a novel methodology for planning the motion of fish-like soft robots actuated by macro-fiber composite (MFC) pairs. These structures should mimic oscillatory and undulation movements, which can be accomplished if the amplitude of the tail motion is larger than that of the head motion. Design strategies, such as the use of concentrated and distributed masses, are addressed to mimic fish-like motion since they guarantee suitable mode shapes for the structure. The motion planning proposal explores a model-based predictive control (MPC) strategy for deriving the input signals for the MFC actuators. This model-based control strategy requires the use of reasonably small-sized models. This is accomplished by extracting modal state-space models based on the free–free Euler–Bernoulli beam theory considering the electro-mechanical coupling of the MFC actuator pairs. Numerical results demonstrate the capability of the proposal for deriving bounded input signals that generate oscillatory and undulation movements even in the presence of disturbances. This general approach can be further extended for other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes a piezoelectric system made of a smart lead zirconate material. The system is composed of a monolithic PZT (piezoelectric ceramic) plate made of a ceramic-based piezoelectric material. The experiment was conducted on a test stand with a GUNT HM170 wind tunnel and a special measurement system. The developed bluff-body shape mounted on an elastic beam with a piezoelectric was mounted on a mast with arms. Springs were fixed on the arms to limit the movement of the test object. Air flow velocity in the wind tunnel and forced vibration frequencies were changed during the tests. The recorded parameters were an output voltage signal from the piezoelectric element and linear accelerations at selected points of the test object. The highest energy efficiency of the tested system was specified from mechanical vibrations and air flow. The results of the tests are a resonance curve for the tested system and a correlation of RMS voltage and acceleration as a function of the velocity of air flow for the excitation frequency f ranging from 1 to 6 Hz. The tests specified the area where the highest output voltage under the given excitation conditions is generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel active-passive integrated actuator for micro-vibration isolation is devised. • A dominant-frequency-correction hysteresis modeling strategy is proposed. • A FEFC requiring merely displacement response feedback is developed. • The FEFC can achieve weak-side-effect resonance suppression. • The proposed APIA-MFC has great potential for engineering applications. Micro-vibration suppression is crucial for satellites to ensure high imaging performance of optical loads. Herein, an active-passive integrated actuator based on macro fiber composite for micro-vibration isolation is proposed and investigated. Integrated passive and active vibration suppression is achieved by arraying a composite laminated beam consisting of the stiffness layer, damping layer and macro fiber composite layer. A dominant-frequency-correction hysteresis modeling strategy is devised to describe the asymmetric and rate-dependent voltage-force hysteresis of the proposed actuator. By treating the correction as a disturbance, the voltage-force hysteresis is compensated in combination with an extended state observer. In order to achieve resonance suppression, a full-estimation-feedback controller featuring merely displacement response feedback is developed exploiting the estimation of the extended state observer as feedback. Simulation results verify that the full-estimation-feedback controller is capable of suppressing the resonance peak with weak adverse effects on the transmissibility in the isolation band. Finally, experiments are performed to identify the voltage-force hysteresis model and evaluate the vibration isolation performance. Periodic and sweep excitation test results demonstrate that in passive mode, the actuator has a small resonance frequency of 2.3 Hz and a wide isolation band starting from 3.5 Hz. With the full-estimation-feedback controller, the resonance peak is effectively suppressed using a single signal feedback, while maintaining excellent vibration attenuation within the isolation band. The proposed actuator provides a paradigm for the design of active-passive integration vibration isolators for broadband micro-vibration suppression, which holds significant promise in enhancing the effectiveness of current observation missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a comparison of the course of a creep phenomenon in the control system of a bimorph actuator, in which control voltages were applied to both piezoelectric layers, with the course of the creep phenomenon in the control system of a unimorph actuator, in which a control voltage was applied to only one piezoelectric layer. The bimorph actuator was built from two layers of piezoelectric composite, macro fiber composite was applied, and a carrier layer made of epoxy laminate was used for production of printed circuit boards. A comparative analysis was carried out on the basis of 22 laboratory experiments in which the vision system was used to measure a displacement change of six points of the bimorph actuator structure. Based on the results of laboratory experiments, it was noted that the duration of a transient part is approximately the same in a system with a control voltage applied to one MFC patch as in a system with control voltages applied to two MFC patches. In the system with control voltages applied to two MFC patches, the position change due to the creep process is more than two times bigger in comparison to the system with the control voltage applied to one MFC patch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy collection in a capacitor, which was charged by four connection structures of Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) patches, was the subject of laboratory research. The first structure was the delta circuit created by three MFC patches and connected with a three-phase rectifier; the second structure was the delta circuit created by three MFC patches and connected with a three-phase rectifier; the third structure was the parallel connection of three circuits, each of which consisted of an MFC patch and a full bridge rectifier; and the fourth structure the series connection of three circuits, each of which consisted of an MFC patch and a full bridge rectifier. Laboratory experiments were carried out on a laboratory stand which consisted of a rotating shaft, three MFC patches powering an energy storage system, and a data acquisition system. The star connection generated the highest values of voltage across a capacitor in the long time period. The delta connection produced the highest capacitor-charging power. The shortest time to reach a target voltage on the capacitor equal to a few volts was achieved by use of the delta or parallel connection. The delta connection generated target voltage equal to a few volts across a capacitor in the shortest time at a lower level of stress in the shaft, but the difference between the charging times by the delta circuit and by the parallel connection decreased as the stress in the shaft increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the problem of vibration reduction is considered. Generally, mechanical vibrations occurring during the operation of a system are undesirable and may have a negative effect on its reliability. A finite element model of a single active blade is developed using the Abaqus software. This structure consists of a multi-layer glass-epoxy composite beam with an embedded macro fiber composite (MFC) piezoelectric actuator. For vibration control the use of a positive position feedback (PPF) controller is proposed. To include the PPF controller in the Abaqus software, a special subroutine is created. The developed control algorithm code makes it possible to solve an additional differential equation by the fourth order Runge- Kutta method. A numerical dynamic analysis is performed by the implicit procedure. The beam responses with and without controller activation are compared. The control subsystem model also includes the hysteresis phenomenon of the piezoelectric actuator. Numerical findings regarding the PPF controller’s effectiveness are verified experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic oscillating behavior of the flexible structure immerged in viscous fluids has attracted growing attention and been widely used in various practical applications. A general electricity-structure-fluid coupled model for the forced dynamic responses of a cantilever immersed in fluids, with partially distributed macro fiber composite, is proposed in this paper. Based on the classical Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, the first mass-normalized mode shape of the cantilever with partially bonded macro fiber composite is determined using assumed mode method. The attachment of the macro fiber composite actuators stiffens the macro fiber composite-bonded portion of the cantilever. The established mode shape matches perfectly with experimental results. Considering the macro fiber composite actuator as a set of representative elements connected in parallel, the internally actuation moment provided by the macro fiber composite actuators is obtained. The hydrodynamic load caused by the surrounding fluids, decomposed into the added mass and hydrodynamic damping parts, is also added to the theoretical model in the frequency-domain form. The predicted in-air and underwater dynamic behaviors of the flexible beam are consistent with the experimental results at different auction levels. Thus, the obtained general electricity-structure-fluid coupled model can be used to predict the forced dynamic responses of flexible structure with partially bonded actuators immersed in fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article presents a comparison of hysteresis courses in the motion of a two-input actuator (bimorph) and hysteresis in the motion of a single-input actuator (unimorph). The comparison was based on the results of laboratory and numerical experiments, the subject of which was an actuator built of three layers: a carrier layer from a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate and two piezoelectric layers from Macro Fiber Composite. The layers were glued together, and electrodes in the Macro Fiber Composite layers were connected to a system that included an analogue/digital board and a voltage amplifier. The main purpose of this research was to compare the characteristic points of the hysteresis curves of the displacement of the bimorph actuator with the characteristic points of the hysteresis curves of the unimorph actuator. Based on the research results, it was noticed that, in the bimorph, the maximum hysteresis and mean hysteresis values increase faster than the maximum displacement of a beam tip. However, values of characteristic input voltages for hysteresis loops—voltage corresponding to a maximum displacement of the actuator beam tip and voltage corresponding to maximum hysteresis—are almost the same for the bimorph and unimorph. From a practical point of view, it was noticed that the unimorph is a better choice compared to the bimorph in applications in which high changes in frequencies of input voltages appear.

This article presents a comparison of the course of a creep phenomenon in the control system of a bimorph actuator, in which control voltages were applied to both piezoelectric layers, with the course of the creep phenomenon in the control system of a unimorph actuator, in which a control voltage was applied to only one piezoelectric layer. The bimorph actuator was built from two layers of piezoelectric composite, macro fiber composite was applied, and a carrier layer made of epoxy laminate was used for production of printed circuit boards. A comparative analysis was carried out on the basis of 22 laboratory experiments in which the vision system was used to measure a displacement change of six points of the bimorph actuator structure. Based on the results of laboratory experiments, it was noted that the duration of a transient part is approximately the same in a system with a control voltage applied to one MFC patch as in a system with control voltages applied to two MFC patches. In the system with control voltages applied to two MFC patches, the position change due to the creep process is more than two times bigger in comparison to the system with the control voltage applied to one MFC patch.

Studies on the hydrodynamics of underwater flexible structures are gaining significant attention. To improve the performance and stability of underwater flexible structures in complex water environments, new control strategies must be proposed. This study proposes underwater rate-dependent hysteresis compensation and iterative learning control (ILC) of the flexible structure actuated by macro fiber composites (MFC). The underwater rate-dependent hysteresis model of the MFC partially-actuated structure consists of two components: a modal state space model characterizing the underwater rate-dependent behavior, and a modified Prandtl–Ishlinskii (MPI) model describing the bias bipolar hysteresis. The MPI model is combined with a PI and a polynomial model of fractional orders. To obtain a unique analytic inverse model, constraints for the inverse are proposed. Results show the varying bias ellipse-like hysteresis behaviors are well captured. Tracking performances are greatly improved with the feedforward compensator. Furthermore, an ILC is developed to address model uncertainties and unsteady hydrodynamics. The convergence and robustness of the ILC are discussed. Parameters of the zero-phase and learning filters are determined. Experimental results demonstrate the tracking errors of the underwater structure are significantly reduced. These findings are meaningful for the realization of flexible structures for marine engineering, underwater robots and other fields. • Underwater rate-dependent hysteresis compensation and iterative learning control are proposed. • A modified Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis model combines a PI model with polynomials of fractional orders. • Constraints for the unique analytic inverse of polynomials of fractional orders are defined. • A modal state space model is developed to characterize the underwater rate-dependent behavior. • A zero-phase low-pass filter is proposed to address the phase lag caused by the Q -filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy collection in a capacitor, which was charged by four connection structures of Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) patches, was the subject of laboratory research. The first structure was the delta circuit created by three MFC patches and connected with a three-phase rectifier; the second structure was the delta circuit created by three MFC patches and connected with a three-phase rectifier; the third structure was the parallel connection of three circuits, each of which consisted of an MFC patch and a full bridge rectifier; and the fourth structure the series connection of three circuits, each of which consisted of an MFC patch and a full bridge rectifier. Laboratory experiments were carried out on a laboratory stand which consisted of a rotating shaft, three MFC patches powering an energy storage system, and a data acquisition system. The star connection generated the highest values of voltage across a capacitor in the long time period. The delta connection produced the highest capacitor-charging power. The shortest time to reach a target voltage on the capacitor equal to a few volts was achieved by use of the delta or parallel connection. The delta connection generated target voltage equal to a few volts across a capacitor in the shortest time at a lower level of stress in the shaft, but the difference between the charging times by the delta circuit and by the parallel connection decreased as the stress in the shaft increased.

A cantilever beam, manufactured from a steel-carrying substrate and two patches of Macro Fiber Composite of P2 type, was a subject of laboratory research. MFC patches were glued on both sides of the carrying substrate and were parallelly connected. An experimental determination of an optimal resistance for both energy harvesting and vibration passive damping of the cantilever beam was the purpose of the conducted laboratory research. The research contained 10 experiments in which courses of the energy-harvesting process and resistive passive damping of vibration were estimated. Energy harvesting was estimated by measurements of the generated current for the given load-resistance values. Resistive passive damping of vibration was assessed by using a vision method that enabled the displacements’ measurements of 10 selected points in the beam structure for the given shunt-resistance values. Values of both load resistance and shunt resistance were chosen on the basis of analytically calculated optimal load resistance and optimal shunt resistance. On the basis of the conducted experiments, the resistance range for which both the energy-harvesting process and the vibration-damping process are most effective was determined.

The subject of this article is an experimental analysis of the control system of a composite-based piezoelectric actuator and an aluminum-based piezoelectric actuator. Analysis was performed for both the unimorph and bimorph structures. To carry out laboratory research, two piezoelectric actuators with a cantilever sandwich beam structure were manufactured. In the first beam, the carrier layer was made of glass-reinforced epoxy composite (FR4), and in the second beam, it was made of 1050 aluminum. A linear mathematical model of both actuators was also developed. A modification of the method of selecting weights in the LQR control algorithm for a cantilever-type piezoelectric actuator was proposed. The weights in the R matrix for the actuator containing a carrier layer made of stiffer material should be smaller than those for the actuator containing a carrier layer made of less stiff material. Additionally, regardless of the carrier layer material, in the case of a bimorph, the weight in the R matrix that corresponds to the control voltage of the compressing MFC patch should be smaller than the weight corresponding to the control voltage of the stretching MFC patch.

This work experimentally investigates a model-predictive motion planning strategy to impose oscillatory and undulation movements in a macro fiber composite (MFC)-actuated robotic fish. Most of the results in this field exploit sinusoidal input signals at the resonance frequency, which reduces the device's maneuverability. Differently, this work uses body/caudal fin locomotion patterns as references in a motion planning strategy formulated as a model-based predictive control (MPC) scheme. This open-loop scheme requires the modeling of the device, which is accomplished by deriving a gray box state-space model using experimental modal data. This state-space model considers the electromechanical coupling of the actuators. Based on the references and the model, the MPC scheme derives the input signals for the MFC actuators. An experimental campaign is carried out to verify two references for mimicking the locomotion patterns of a fish under limited actuation. The experimental results confirm the motion planning scheme's capability to impose oscillatory and undulation movements.

• Morphing wing technology enhances adaptability and versatility in drones' flight. • Macro Fiber Composite actuators enable in-flight camber variation. • Experimental tests permit the characterization of the wing's deformation. • Finite Element Analysis allows for analyzing different actuator configurations. • Actuators located spanwise enhance lateral stability by elevating wingtip. The purpose of this paper is to show the advantages of using a smart composite in a micro air vehicle (MAV) equipped with morphing wing technology. A Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) actuator is attached to the wing's bottom surface to modify the wing camber during the mission. This material allows the MAV to be optimized according to each flight, thus making it more versatile and attractive to the market. The elongation of the lower surface when a positive voltage is applied to the actuator is translated to an increment in camber, which results in an increment in the maximum lift coefficient, thus enabling the vehicle to fly slower to adapt to any payload. Besides, a reduction in camber results in an increase in aerodynamic efficiency, which improves range and endurance. Several tests of the MAV at prototype level have been carried out at INTA, so as to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing MFC actuators to control and manoeuvre these vehicles. The use of this material in aerospace industry opens up various fields of research in aerospace engineering, such as new features in flight mechanics and aerodynamic performance and new strategies in the design of flight stability and control laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macro fiber composite (MFC) is widely used in active vibration and deformation control. The intrinsic asymmetric hysteresis nonlinearity of MFC affects the control accuracy. In this paper, a modified Bouc-Wen (MBW) model based on the sigmoid function is proposed to describe the asymmetric hysteresis characteristics of MFC, and its parameters are identified by a hybrid algorithm composed of the trust-region reflection method and asynchronous particle swarm optimization. The accuracy of the proposed MBW model is verified though hysteresis tests of MFC under different drive frequencies. The results show that the MBW model can accurately model the asymmetrical hysteresis of the MFC actuator, the modeling error is reduced by 72% compared with the classic Bouc-Wen model. The proposed hybrid parameter identification method saves 95% of the time compared with the particle swarm optimization and asynchronous particle swarm optimization algorithms. [Display omitted] • A modified Bouc-Wen (MBW) model is proposed to describe the asymmetric hysteresis characteristics of MFC actuators. • A hybrid algorithm (APSO - TRR) with global and local search ability is proposed for parameter identification. • Performance of proposed APSO - TRR is compared with classical PSO、APSO and TRR algorithms. • Accuracy of proposed asymmetric Bou–Wen model is compared with classical Bou–Wen model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insufficient service life and the resulting need for battery replacements have been a great challenge for implantable electronic devices. This is particularly true for animal tracking applications, because recapturing animals is often unlikely once they are released to the wild. To tackle this problem, we developed a biomechanical energy harvester that uses a Macro Fiber Composite™ (MFC) piezoelectric beam to harvest the mechanical energy from animals' body bending movements as the power source for implantable and wearable devices. Prototypes of an underwater acoustic transmitter using this technology were subdermally implanted into juvenile white sturgeon and their energy harvesting performance was evaluated through the devices' transmissions. The fish successfully recovered from the implantation surgery and freely swam inside a tank. The transmitter prototypes in the fish continually transmitted signals for a period up to 5 weeks. A benchtop test setup was also created to emulate the fish's body bending, estimate the device's energy harvesting performance in the live fish, and perform accelerated fatigue testing of the energy harvester by applying test parameters learned from a video study of the fish's body movement and behavior characteristics. The gradual depolarization of the piezoelectric ceramic material in the MFC under cyclic mechanical loading was the main limiting factor for the life span of the energy harvester. Pathways for improvement are proposed to achieve long-term efficacy of powering implantable and wearable electronic devices. [Display omitted] • Developed an implantable, lightweight, biomechanical energy harvester that successfully powered an integrated microelectronic device. • The host animal fully recovered from the implantation surgery and freely moved about without any inhibitions for an extended period. • The durability and failure modes of a piezoelectric energy harvester in an aquatic animal host under quasi-realistic conditions were investigated. • The host animal's physiology and behavior were investigated and quantified to guide the design of the prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cantilever beam, manufactured from a steel-carrying substrate and two patches of Macro Fiber Composite of P2 type, was a subject of laboratory research. MFC patches were glued on both sides of the carrying substrate and were parallelly connected. An experimental determination of an optimal resistance for both energy harvesting and vibration passive damping of the cantilever beam was the purpose of the conducted laboratory research. The research contained 10 experiments in which courses of the energy-harvesting process and resistive passive damping of vibration were estimated. Energy harvesting was estimated by measurements of the generated current for the given load-resistance values. Resistive passive damping of vibration was assessed by using a vision method that enabled the displacements' measurements of 10 selected points in the beam structure for the given shunt-resistance values. Values of both load resistance and shunt resistance were chosen on the basis of analytically calculated optimal load resistance and optimal shunt resistance. On the basis of the conducted experiments, the resistance range for which both the energy-harvesting process and the vibration-damping process are most effective was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]