OVERVIEW

Intelligent materials are those materials that can change some of their features when subject to an external stimulus. For this reason, they have been employed successfully both for sensing and actuation.

However, when these materials are integrated in a system, it is possible to create a coupled device (structure + material), called smart system, with advanced features. By controlling the sensing and actuation properties of intelligent materials, it is possible, indeed, to design systems capable of perceiving any changes (of the system itself, of the environment in which it is located or of the operating conditions) and to apply countermeasures to guarantee their proper functioning.

The course aims at making the student capable of conceiving intelligent systems and structures endowed with advanced properties, such as adaptability, energy efficiency, self-monitoring and energy harvesting. This is obtained through the study of the characteristics of these materials and the behaviour of the coupled system made by the structure and intelligent material.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will learn how to model the transducers based on smart materials (e.g., shape memory alloys, piezoelectric, electromagnetic) and their interaction with the hosting structure, as well as how to test and characterize the systems experimentally. They will be able to model and test coupled systems. They will be acquainted with the material peculiarities, their main sensing/actuation features as well as their use in practical applications. Moreover, they will be aware of their possible advanced use in mechanical systems in which the material properties are exploited in the context of multi-domain interaction with the hosting structure (e.g., vibration attenuation, monitoring, energy harvesting, adaptability).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides the basics for the development of integrated models of the coupled system constituted by the structure and the most common smart materials. Starting from the general sensing and actuation features, the course deepens how the interaction among different domains (e.g., mechanical, electrical, magnetic) can lead to smart features and enhanced system peculiarities.

The needed basic concepts of system experimental characterization are provided.

Students will learn how to model the transducers and their interaction with the hosting structure. They will be acquainted with the material peculiarities, their main sensing/actuation features as well as their use in practical applications. Moreover, they will be aware of their possible advanced use in mechanical systems in which the material properties are exploited in the context of multi-domain interaction with the hosting structure.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and labs.

The laboratories will be related to an experimental project where the students will use one of the transducers studied in the course to develop a specific application in the field of e.g.: sensing, actuation, vibration damping, monitoring, energy harvesting. Through the lab activity/project, students will also acquire the skills to formulate a judgment, meaning to:  select the proper system and the intelligent material as a function of the specific goal of the project; define and design the smart coupled system; select actuators/sensors for carrying out the required experimental tests; define and apply the experimental procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. Furthermore, students will gain the ability to autonomously plan activities and design experiments, and work in team.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Outline/introduction

Definition of smart systems, general description of the smart material peculiarities and the advanced features they can bring to the system. The importance of the coupled models for the proper system design.

Basics of signal analysis, experimental testing, dynamic modelling and modal approach.

Smart systems

• Electromagnetic systems: moving coil transducers
  • sensing, actuation, coupled systems and applications (e.g., electro dynamic isolator)

• Piezoelectric systems
  • sensing, actuation, coupled systems and applications (e.g., vibration damping, energy harvesting, system monitoring)
• Magnetostrictive systems
  • sensing, actuation, coupled systems and applications (e.g., vibration damping, micropositioning)
• Other smart systems: basics
  • Shape Memory Alloys: applications (e.g., adaptive dampers, morphing structures, soft devices)
  • Magnetorheological: applications (e.g., semi active suspensions)
  • Optical fibres: applications (e.g., system monitoring)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• A. Preumont, “Vibration Control of Active Structures: an introduction”, Springer Dordrecht 2011
• Dimitris C. Lagoudas, “Shape Memory Alloys: Modeling and Engineering Applications”, Springer New York, NY, 2008
• Anders Brandt, “Noise and Vibration Analysis: Signal Analysis and Experimental Procedures”, John Wiley & Sons, 2011

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/9269

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam and project discussion

Students with SLD, disability or other regularly certified special educational needs are advised to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination methods that, in compliance with the course objectives, take into account the individual learning requirements.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test aims at verifying that the student has achieved an adequate knowledge of the peculiarities of the intelligent materials covered during the course, and of their possible applications in the engineering field.

The project allows ascertaining the student's ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course, the ability for critical and independent judgment of the data and results obtained during the development of the project and, finally, the ability to properly present technical activities.