A study of constraints for considering manufacturability in the design method of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices using topology optimization.

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the constraints for designing a piezoelectric energy harvesting device using topology optimization based on the level set method to obtain a design that takes manufacturing requirements into account. Specifically, we focus on a unimorph-type energy harvesting device consisting of a cantilevered substrate with a piezoelectric film. By defining distinct level set functions for the substrate and piezoelectric film structures, it becomes feasible to enforce constraints on the piezoelectric film structure using the substrate structure as a reference.