Development of the smart board using metal core piezoelectric complex fibers

In an attempt to develop piezoelectric sensor and actuator for smart board, complex piezoelectric fibers with metal core were fabricated by both hydrothermal method and extrusion method. The insertion of metal core was significant in view that the fragility of ceramics is overcome and electrodes are not required in the use as sensor and actuator. In order to evaluate the sensor and actuator abilities of these new-type fibers, a cantilever structure was constructed by embedding them into the surface of CFRP composite board. As a result of vibration of this CFRP board by electromagnetic vibrometer, it was found that the fiber has an obvious sensor function, since electric charge was output from the fiber in proportion to the vibration amplitude. On the contrary, it became also evident that the fiber functions as actuator, since the CFRP board was vibrated by applying an AC voltage between the metal core and CFRP matrix.