Recent Advances in Optimization of Smart Structures and Actuators

Much of the recent and past work in the area of smart materials and structures has focused on analysis of actuators and actively controlled systems. Although many sophisticated analysis models have been developed, they are often coupled with ad hoc design methods or informal optimization procedures. A subset of the work done by the smart structures community has focused on development of formal design methodologies and optimization methods specifically for smart actuators and structures. The objective of this paper is to review the current work in development of design methodologies and application of formal optimization methods to the design of smart structures and actuators. In a related paper, optimization strategies for sensor and actuator placement were reviewed by a researcher at NASA Langley in 1999. The current paper reviews the recent work done in this area since 1999, in addition to optimization strategies for topology design of actuators, actively controlled structures, and drive electronics design. The main focus is on piezoelectric ceramic actuators, but relevant work in shape memory alloys and magnetostrictive actuation are included as well. Future directions for research in optimization are also recommended.