Fabrication of Acoustic

Sensor
Presented By
Md Gouse Nihal(180103047)
M Bhaskara Kumar(180103048)

Under the Guidance of

Dr. Poonam Kumari

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati
INTRODUCTION
An Acoustic Wave Sensor is an electronic device that can measure sound levels.
Although these sensors are electronic components, their detection mechanism
is mechanical in nature.
 Our Project focuses mainly on studying Piezoelectric Acoustic Sensors and their
fabrication.
 Almost all acoustic devices use piezoelectric materials to generate acoustic
waves. The most used piezoelectric materials are quartz(SiO2) and Lithium
Tantalate(LiTaO3).
WORKING PRINCIPLE
Acoustic sensors are based on 'Piezoelectricity'. It essentially implies electricity
resulting from pressure(applied mechanical stress). Applying an electric field to a
piezoelectric material creates mechanical stress. So the phenomenon is reciprocal.
Acoustic Wave Sensors apply an oscillating electric field to create
a mechanical wave, which propagates through the substrate and is then
converted back to an electric field for measurement.
MATERIAL SELECTION
For this project, we would be using PVDF(Polyvinylidene Fluoride) as the
piezoelectric material.  PVDF is a ferroelectric polymer that exhibits efficient
piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties.
Advantages:
 High flexibility
 Good mechanical properties
 Lower acoustic impedance than ceramic crystals
 Voltage coefficient 10 times higher than that of ceramic materials
LITERATURE REVIEW
Author Paper Title Conclusion/Remarks

Most piezoelectric sensors are made from

Self-polarized electro spun Lead Zirconate Titanate(PZT). Their major
Ghafari E, et al. polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) drawback is their inherent brittleness. So
nanofiber for sensing applications they can accommodate a very small
strain.
PVDF can generate voltages 10-25 times
Design and microfabrication of a higher than piezoceramics for the same
Xu J, et al. PVDF acoustic sensor pressure input. It can achieve up to 100x
the sensitivity of existing commercial
sensors.

Active sensing and damage PVDF-ZnO nanocomposite can be used as

Meyers FN, et al. detection using piezoelectric zinc transducers for structural health
oxide-based nanocomposites monitoring and damage detection.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Author Paper Title Conclusion/Remarks

Enhancing the piezoelectric

Dodds JS, et al. performance of PVDF-TrFE thin PVDF-ZnO nanocomposite can be used in
films using zinc oxide detecting the surface waves generated
nanoparticles by impact forces.

PVDF sensor can be used in real-time

monitoring of composite laminates for
De Rosa, et al. Polymer Testing detecting different levels of structural
damages.

The Study of PVDF Acoustic PVDF acoustic sensors have a similar

Wang Z, et al. Emission Sensor sensitivity to PZT(Lead Zirconate Titanate)
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
 Conducting a detailed Literature Review about PVDF Acoustic Sensors and their
fabrication techniques - 5th Semester.
 Simulation of a PVDF Sensor in ANSYS - 6th Semester.
 Creating a PVDF Nanofiber using Electrospinning and fabricating the sensor -
7th Semester.
 Development of a circuit for the Acoustic sensor - 8th Semester.
 Final calibration of the sensor and testing its performance - 8th Semester.
METHODOLOGY
 First, we would create a 3D Model of a circular film in Ansys using the Finite
Element Method(FEM). Then we enter the Analysis Settings and Boundary
Conditions and solve the FEM Model. After obtaining the solution, we can
apply an acoustic wave to see the pressure distribution and stress
concentrations in the material.
 For fabricating the sensor, we start by creating a solution of PVDF. The
homogenous PVDF solution will then be deposited on a PET substrate with
some positive voltage.
METHODOLOGY
 After a successful fabrication, we would develop and design a circuit for the
acoustic sensor.
 To test the performance of the sensor, we would determine the β-phase
content and the received/transmission ratio(R/T%)for a signal. Using the R/T%,
one can compare its efficiency to other ceramic-based sensors.
 We would also determine the range of frequency for the sensor using
transmissions generated by transducers. Later, we would plot graphs describing
the effects of parameters governing R/T% or the efficiency of the sensor.
WORK DONE
In the 5th semester, we have conducted a detailed literature review of 12 research
papers. The research papers were related on the following topics:
 Acoustic wave sensors
 PVDF sensors
 Electrospinning for making PVDF nanofiber
 Sensing applications of PVDF sensors
 Applications of PVDF-ZnO and PVDF-carbon nanotube(CNT) nanocomposites as
acoustic transducers
In this semester, we have also learnt the basics of 3D modelling in Ansys using the
Finite Element Method(FEM).
WORK PLAN FOR UPCOMING SEMESTERS
THANK YOU