TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kappel, Marcel
A1  - Abel, Markus
A1  - Gerhard, Reimund
T1  - Characterization and calibration of piezoelectric polymers in situ measurements of body vibrations
T2  - Review of scientific instruments : a monthly journal devoted to scientific instruments, apparatus, and techniques
N2  - Piezoelectric polymers are known for their flexibility in applications, mainly due to their bending ability, robustness, and variable sensor geometry. It is an optimal material for minimal-invasive investigations in vibrational systems, e.g., for wood, where acoustical impedance matches particularly well. Many applications may be imagined, e. g., monitoring of buildings, vehicles, machinery, alarm systems, such that our investigations may have a large impact on technology. Longitudinal piezoelectricity converts mechanical vibrations normal to the polymer-film plane into an electrical signal, and the respective piezoelectric coefficient needs to be carefully determined in dependence on the relevant material parameters. In order to evaluate efficiency and durability for piezopolymers, we use polyvinylidene fluoride and measure the piezoelectric coefficient with respect to static pressure, amplitude of the dynamically applied force, and long-term stability. A known problem is the slow relaxation of the material towards equilibrium, if the external pressure changes; here, we demonstrate how to counter this problem with careful calibration. Since our focus is on acoustical measurements, we determine accurately the frequency response curve - for acoustics probably the most important characteristic. Eventually, we show that our piezopolymer transducers can be used as a calibrated acoustical sensors for body vibration measurements on a wooden musical instrument, where it is important to perform minimal-invasive measurements. A comparison with the simultaneously recorded airborne sound yields important insight of the mechanism of sound radiation in comparison with the sound propagating in the material. This is especially important for transient signals, where not only the long-living eigenmodes contribute to the sound radiation. Our analyses support that piezopolymer sensors can be employed as a general tool for the determination of the internal dynamics of vibrating systems.
KW  - acoustic transducers
KW  - calibration
KW  - durability
KW  - electric sensing devices
KW  - piezoelectricity
KW  - polymers
Y1  - 2011
UR  - https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/36752
SN  - 0034-6748
VL  - 82
IS  - 7
PB  - American Institute of Physics
CY  - Melville
ER  -