This article studied static deflection, natural frequency and nonlinear vibration of a clamped-clamped microbeam under discontinues electrostatic actuation. The electrostatic actuation was induced by applying AC-DC voltage between the microbeam and electrode plate. In contrast to previous works, it was assumed that length of the electrode plate was smaller than that of the microbeam. In additio...

Strong interest in applying wireless sensing technologies within structural monitoring systems has grown in recent years. Wireless sensors are capable of passively collecting response measurements of a dynamic structural system at low-costs. However, the role of wireless sensing within structural monitoring systems can be expanded if sensors are provided a direct interface to the physical syste...

There is evidence to support the claim that speedbreakers can cause accidents and injury. When a vehicle approaches a speed-breaker at a speed greater than some threshold velocity, the risk of accident or injury is substantial. Speed-breakers are inconspicuous in low visibility conditions, like at night, or when there is fog, rain or snow. This problem is particularly acute in developing countr...

Piezoelectric ceramic Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) transducers, working on the principle of electromechanical impedance (EMI), are increasingly applied for structural health monitoring (SHM) in aerospace, civil and mechanical engineering. The PZT transducers are usually surface bonded to or embedded in a structure and subjected to actuation so as to interrogate the structure at the desired fre...

We report a modular atomic force microscope (AFM) design for biomolecular experiments. The AFM head uses readily available components and incorporates deflection-based optics and a piezotube-based cantilever actuator. Jetted-polymers have been used in the mechanical assembly, which allows rapid manufacturing. In addition, a FeCo-tipped electromagnet provides high-force cantilever actuation with...

In this research, a new approach is proposed to enhance the authority of piezoelectric actuators without the trade off between force and stroke. Through mechanical tailoring, the resonance frequencies of the actuator system can be tuned to the required actuation frequencies. This obviously will increase the authority (both stroke and force) of the actuator. However, resonant actuators could be ...