Dynamic Fracture of Piezoelectric Materials focuses on the Boundary Integral Equation Method as an efficient computational tool. The presentation of the theoretical basis of piezoelectricity is followed by sections on fundamental solutions and the numerical realization of the boundary value problems. Two major parts of the book are devoted to the solution of problems in homogeneous and inhomogeneous solids. The book includes contributions on coupled electro-mechanical models, computational methods, its validation and the simulation results, which reveal different effects useful for engineering design and practice. The book is self-contained and well-illustrated, and it serves as a graduate-level textbook or as extra reading material for students and researchers.

Advances in Energy Harvesting Methods presents a state-of-the-art understanding of diverse aspects of energy harvesting with a focus on: broadband energy conversion, new concepts in electronic circuits, and novel materials. This book covers recent advances in energy harvesting using different transduction mechanisms; these include methods of performance enhancement using nonlinear effects, non-harmonic forms of excitation and non-resonant energy harvesting, fluidic energy harvesting, and advances in both low-power electronics as well as material science. The contributors include a brief literature review of prior research with each chapter for further reference.

Piezoelectric Ceramics focuses on the relationship between piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity as they apply to ceramics, taking into consideration the properties of materials that are being used and possibly be used in the industries. Composed of 12 chapters, the book starts by tracing the history of piezoelectricity and how this affects ceramics. The different measurement techniques are discussed, including dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric measurements. The book proceeds by discussing Perovskite structure and barium titanate. Covered areas include electric field, piezoelectric properties, particle size effect, and dielectric strength. The properties, compositions, and reactions of various perovskites are discussed. Numerical analyses are presented in this regard. The book also offers interpretations of the experiments conducted. The discussions end with the processes involved in the manufacture and applications of piezoelectric ceramics. Concerns in manufacturing include calcination, grinding, mixing, electroding, firing, and quality control. Piezolectric ceramics are applied in air transducers, instrument transducers, delay line transducers, underwater sound ultrasonic power, and wave filters. The book is important for readers interested in doing research on ceramics.

This volume covers important subjects in the field of piezoelectric devices and applications with the latest research on piezoelectricity, acoustic waves, manufacturing technology, and design techniques. It includes up-to-date research and information on materials, new products, technological trends, and design methods of benefit to academics and researchers in the piezoelectric device industry. Contributors to this volume include prominent experts such as Clemens Ruppel of Epcos, Daining Fang of Tsinghua University, Tong-Yi Zhang of University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, and CS Lam of TXC Corporation. A number of papers have been dedicated to Professor Harry F Tiersten of Resselear Polytechnic Institute, who passed away in 2006, for his contributions to the fundamental theory of piezoelectricity and methods for acoustic wave device analysis. Readership: Graduate students, academics, researchers, and professionals in piezoelectric devices and applications for communication, sensors, MEMS, and other systems.