A new multi-DOF photostrictive actuator for dynamic control of shells: Modeling and analysis

Based on the photovoltaic effect and the converse piezoelectric effect, the lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) actuator can transform the photonic energy to mechanical strain/stress - the photodeformation effect. This photodeformation process can be further used for non-contact precision actuation and control in various structural, biomedical and electromechanical systems. Although there are a number of design configurations of distributed actuators, e.g., segmentation and shaping, been investigated over the years, this study is to explore a new actuator configuration spatially bonded on the surface of shell structures to broaden the spatial modal controllability. A mathematical model of a new multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) photostrictive actuator configuration is presented first, followed by the photostrictive/shell coupling equations of a cylindrical shell structure laminated with the newly proposed multi-DOF distributed actuator. Distributed microscopic photostrictive actuation and its contributing components are analyzed in the modal domain. Effects of shell's curvature and actuator's size are evaluated. Parametric analyses suggest that the new multi-DOF distributed actuator, indeed, provides better performance and control effect to shell actuation and control. This multi-DOF configuration can be further applied to actuation and control of various shell and non-shell structures.