Piezoelectric actuation of a direct write electrospun PVDF fiber

Piezoelectric actuation of a doubly clamped suspended poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fiber has been demonstrated. The PVDF fiber is directly deposited onto a collector using near-field electrospinning with in situ electrical poling process. The piezoelectric effect can be further enlarged by polarizing the fiber under a voltage of 2 kV for two hours at a temperature of 80°C. A displacement of 2 ¿m on the center of a suspended PVDF fiber, corresponding to a strain of 0.004%, as a result of piezoelectric effect has been detected under an applied electric field of 1.6 V/¿m. We believe this technology could enable new potential actuation applications for NEMS/MEMS.