Bimorph
Bimorph cantilevers used as micromechanical linear actuator:
1 - substrate
2 - piezoelectric layer
3 - passive layer
4 - mechanical contact area
5 - track
1 - substrate
2 - piezoelectric layer
3 - passive layer
4 - mechanical contact area
5 - track
A bimorph is a cantilever used for actuation or sensing which consists of two active layers. It can also have a passive layer between the two active layers. In contrast, a piezoelectric unimorph has only one active (i.e. piezoelectric) layer and one passive (i.e. non-piezoelectric) layer.
The term is most commonly used with piezoelectric bimorphs. In actuator applications, one active layer contracts and the other expands if voltage is applied, thus the bimorph bends. In sensing applications, bending the bimorph produces voltage which can for example be used to measure displacement or acceleration. This mode can also be used for energy harvesting.[1]
A bimetal could be regarded as a thermally activated bimorph.
See also
References
- ↑ Al-Ashtari, W.; Hunstig, M..; Hemsel, T.; Sextro, W. (July 14, 2013), Characteristics of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters in Autonomous Systems. Proceedings of 10th International Workshop on Piezoelectric Materials and Applications and 8th Energy Harvesting Workshop (PDF), retrieved January 31, 2016
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