Pub Date : 2026-01-04DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111196
Tianxi Jiang , Tianyue Zhou , Xihao Wang , Zixin Zhou , Hu Jin , Qingbo He , Shiwu Zhang
Mechanical metastructures with uniquely programmable properties have revolutionized advanced mechanical system design, while existing multi-sensor frameworks for metastructure-based mechanical system sensing complicate signal processing and system integration. Computational sensing can bypass traditional requirements by encoding information with metastructures, but design strategies enabling dynamics identification of both external stimuli and structural internal states remain a critical gap. Here, we propose a self-reconfigurable chiral-encoded metastructure that encodes dynamic transmission for identification via single-channel measurements. By reconfiguring local connection modes between adjacent chiral unit cells, the metastructure tailors its global stiffness distribution, yielding highly distinguishable dynamic responses. Accurate identification of external stimuli and internal states can be achieved by combining compressive sensing or machine learning methods to process single-channel data. This work not only advances dynamics encoding strategies with metastructures, but also bridges compact metastructure design with mechanical sensing applications such as swarm robotics situational awareness and mechanical system health monitoring.
{"title":"Self-reconfigurable chiral-encoded metastructure for single-channel dynamics identification","authors":"Tianxi Jiang , Tianyue Zhou , Xihao Wang , Zixin Zhou , Hu Jin , Qingbo He , Shiwu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111196","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111196","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mechanical metastructures with uniquely programmable properties have revolutionized advanced mechanical system design, while existing multi-sensor frameworks for metastructure-based mechanical system sensing complicate signal processing and system integration. Computational sensing can bypass traditional requirements by encoding information with metastructures, but design strategies enabling dynamics identification of both external stimuli and structural internal states remain a critical gap. Here, we propose a self-reconfigurable chiral-encoded metastructure that encodes dynamic transmission for identification via single-channel measurements. By reconfiguring local connection modes between adjacent chiral unit cells, the metastructure tailors its global stiffness distribution, yielding highly distinguishable dynamic responses. Accurate identification of external stimuli and internal states can be achieved by combining compressive sensing or machine learning methods to process single-channel data. This work not only advances dynamics encoding strategies with metastructures, but also bridges compact metastructure design with mechanical sensing applications such as swarm robotics situational awareness and mechanical system health monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56287,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mechanical Sciences","volume":"311 ","pages":"Article 111196"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-04DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111198
Qiucheng Yang , Hui Wang , Chunmei Liu , Fei Wang , Yu Liu , Cheng Cheng , Xunzhong Guo
Six-axis free bending and twisting (6FBT) technology provides one-time integral forming of complex profile components, but accurately controlling the coupled axial curvature and cross-section torsion remains challenging, limiting its manufacturing advantages. Therefore, this paper investigates two types of 304 stainless steel profiles with square and flat oval sections as research objects, develops a method of analyzing the cross-section torsion angle of profile components based on NURBS curves, researches the influence of different torsion loading paths on the axial bending direction and radius, explores the optimal forming trajectory, reveals the bending direction change mechanism under the action of torsion, and puts forward a strategy for correcting the axial bending direction according to the centroid coordinate control of cross-section. Following simulation and experimental validation, the maximum deviation of the formed parts in the axial bending direction can be reduced from 15.7 mm and 21.19 mm to less than 0.694 mm and 1.574 mm for concentric and eccentric mould structures, respectively, and the forming accuracy in the axial direction can be effectively improved. The results of this study are of great significance in promoting the practical application of 6FBT technology and shortening the commissioning cycle of complex profile components.
{"title":"Torsion-induced bending deviation: Mechanism and correction","authors":"Qiucheng Yang , Hui Wang , Chunmei Liu , Fei Wang , Yu Liu , Cheng Cheng , Xunzhong Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111198","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111198","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Six-axis free bending and twisting (6FBT) technology provides one-time integral forming of complex profile components, but accurately controlling the coupled axial curvature and cross-section torsion remains challenging, limiting its manufacturing advantages. Therefore, this paper investigates two types of 304 stainless steel profiles with square and flat oval sections as research objects, develops a method of analyzing the cross-section torsion angle of profile components based on NURBS curves, researches the influence of different torsion loading paths on the axial bending direction and radius, explores the optimal forming trajectory, reveals the bending direction change mechanism under the action of torsion, and puts forward a strategy for correcting the axial bending direction according to the centroid coordinate control of cross-section. Following simulation and experimental validation, the maximum deviation of the formed parts in the axial bending direction can be reduced from 15.7 mm and 21.19 mm to less than 0.694 mm and 1.574 mm for concentric and eccentric mould structures, respectively, and the forming accuracy in the axial direction can be effectively improved. The results of this study are of great significance in promoting the practical application of 6FBT technology and shortening the commissioning cycle of complex profile components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56287,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mechanical Sciences","volume":"310 ","pages":"Article 111198"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-04DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111179
Kaikai Li , Pengyu Shen , Lin Cheng , Weixi Chen , Long Wang , Jiao Gao , Min Yu , Zongmian Zhang , Yingxi Xie , Longsheng Lu
Surgical electrodes, essential tools in various medical procedures, perform dual functions in tissue cutting and simultaneous hemostasis. While recent studies have focused on mitigating tissue adhesion and thermal damage through surface micro-/nanostructure engineering, the electrode service dynamics and the underlying mechanisms responsible for these adverse effects remain inadequately elucidated. This study systematically investigates the electro-thermo-mechanical multiphysics interactions between conventional rounded-corner electrodes and liver tissue during cutting and coagulation processes. In the cutting mode, we present the first segmented numerical model to match the cutting force (Fx) by integrating electrothermal energy input with mechanical compression. This model quantifies the correlation between Fx, cutting speed (v) and electrode-tissue voltage (U), validated through experimental force signal analysis. Moreover, we unveil the formation mechanism of a built-up edge (BuE)-like adhesion on the non-cutting side of the electrode, contrasting with traditional machining tools where BuE typically forms near the cutting edge. Additionally, the evolution law of pore-associated surface morphologies on adhesive tissue is explained in relation to cutting power and speed. The counterintuitive attenuation of thermal damage on tissue surfaces along the cutting trajectory is attributed to a transition from high-frequency alternating current dominance to thermal conduction dominance, as evidenced by maximum temperature evolution curves. Optimal cutting parameters are established by evaluating maximum cutting force, adhesion mass, and thermal damage depth. During coagulation, we observe and mechanistically explain the critical transition from Joule heating to the discharge phase. Motivated by this transition, a novel dielectric-integrated composite (DIC) electrode is proposed and subsequently fabricated to achieve active discharge regulation, featuring a microgroove array substrate. Gradient groove-width experiments demonstrate that the DIC electrode significantly reduces thermal damage depth by up to 76.0% while maintaining coagulation quality and weakening tissue adhesion. This work provides new insights into electrode-tissue interaction mechanisms and lays a foundation for the development of next-generation high-performance surgical electrodes.
{"title":"Multiphysics-driven surgical electrode-tissue interactions: Phenomena, mechanisms, and insights","authors":"Kaikai Li , Pengyu Shen , Lin Cheng , Weixi Chen , Long Wang , Jiao Gao , Min Yu , Zongmian Zhang , Yingxi Xie , Longsheng Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surgical electrodes, essential tools in various medical procedures, perform dual functions in tissue cutting and simultaneous hemostasis. While recent studies have focused on mitigating tissue adhesion and thermal damage through surface micro-/nanostructure engineering, the electrode service dynamics and the underlying mechanisms responsible for these adverse effects remain inadequately elucidated. This study systematically investigates the electro-thermo-mechanical multiphysics interactions between conventional rounded-corner electrodes and liver tissue during cutting and coagulation processes. In the cutting mode, we present the first segmented numerical model to match the cutting force (<em>F<sub>x</sub></em>) by integrating electrothermal energy input with mechanical compression. This model quantifies the correlation between <em>F<sub>x</sub></em>, cutting speed (<em>v</em>) and electrode-tissue voltage (<em>U</em>), validated through experimental force signal analysis. Moreover, we unveil the formation mechanism of a built-up edge (BuE)-like adhesion on the non-cutting side of the electrode, contrasting with traditional machining tools where BuE typically forms near the cutting edge. Additionally, the evolution law of pore-associated surface morphologies on adhesive tissue is explained in relation to cutting power and speed. The counterintuitive attenuation of thermal damage on tissue surfaces along the cutting trajectory is attributed to a transition from high-frequency alternating current dominance to thermal conduction dominance, as evidenced by maximum temperature evolution curves. Optimal cutting parameters are established by evaluating maximum cutting force, adhesion mass, and thermal damage depth. During coagulation, we observe and mechanistically explain the critical transition from Joule heating to the discharge phase. Motivated by this transition, a novel dielectric-integrated composite (DIC) electrode is proposed and subsequently fabricated to achieve active discharge regulation, featuring a microgroove array substrate. Gradient groove-width experiments demonstrate that the DIC electrode significantly reduces thermal damage depth by up to 76.0% while maintaining coagulation quality and weakening tissue adhesion. This work provides new insights into electrode-tissue interaction mechanisms and lays a foundation for the development of next-generation high-performance surgical electrodes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56287,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mechanical Sciences","volume":"311 ","pages":"Article 111179"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111177
Ge Zhou, Zhenlong Wu, Huijun Tan, Fengqi Zhang, Gang Luo
Turboprop aircraft face the risk of bird strikes during flight, which can have serious consequences if a bird is ingested into the engine. This paper proposes a new numerical method for studying the ingestion characteristics of birds into a branched turboprop engine inlet. The accuracy of this method was verified using the branched turboprop inlet–bird striking experiment and a self-established collision and rebound model. The influences of bird speed and angle of attack are also comprehensively discussed. The results show that a bird moving with its back to the airplane has the most significant effect on total pressure recovery, and its motion is most affected by the inlet airflow. Although a bird moving toward the aircraft has the most significant impact on the total pressure distortion, its motion is least affected by the inlet airflow. The numerical and experimental methods presented here provide valuable references for both academic and industrial communities seeking to investigate the foreign object exclusion characteristics of branched turboprop inlets, turboshaft particle separators, and turbofan engine inlets.
{"title":"Modeling of bird motion in branched turboprop inlets","authors":"Ge Zhou, Zhenlong Wu, Huijun Tan, Fengqi Zhang, Gang Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Turboprop aircraft face the risk of bird strikes during flight, which can have serious consequences if a bird is ingested into the engine. This paper proposes a new numerical method for studying the ingestion characteristics of birds into a branched turboprop engine inlet. The accuracy of this method was verified using the branched turboprop inlet–bird striking experiment and a self-established collision and rebound model. The influences of bird speed and angle of attack are also comprehensively discussed. The results show that a bird moving with its back to the airplane has the most significant effect on total pressure recovery, and its motion is most affected by the inlet airflow. Although a bird moving toward the aircraft has the most significant impact on the total pressure distortion, its motion is least affected by the inlet airflow. The numerical and experimental methods presented here provide valuable references for both academic and industrial communities seeking to investigate the foreign object exclusion characteristics of branched turboprop inlets, turboshaft particle separators, and turbofan engine inlets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56287,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mechanical Sciences","volume":"311 ","pages":"Article 111177"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111163
Shaowei Wu , Junxiong Hu , Lixiong Cao , Kexin Huang , Yongzhang Ma , Jiachang Tang
This study proposes a non-invasive smoothed stochastic finite element method for elastic and elastoplastic stochastic analysis problems involving stochastic variables and random field. The method integration forms a data-driven collaborative solution framework, where Karhunen-Loève (KL) expansion performs input compression and SPCE enables efficient uncertainty evaluation. By coupling KL expansion with cell-based smoothed finite element, the proposed method strictly confines material uncertainties within individual elements, thereby establishing a decoupling framework between the probabilistic and physical spaces. This structural alignment eliminates the need for explicit stochastic expansion of the stiffness matrix and avoids the direct treatment of nonlinear terms in elastic-plastic constitutive. In view of that, the stochastic equilibrium equation is formally decomposed into two independent solution stages, namely the construction of the deterministic kernel matrix and the tensor operations of stochastic variables, thereby enabling a non-intrusive solution path without modifying the core smoothed finite element code. In the deterministic solving stage, a smoothing integration domain is constructed by combining polygon elements with strain smoothing techniques to achieve high-precision solution of physical fields. In the stochastic analysis stage, the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm is used to construct sparse polynomial chaos expansion (SPCE) surrogate in the KL reduced stochastic space, in order to achieve accurate approximation of uncertainty of response field. The KL-SPCE integration yields a data-driven collaborative framework that enables a fully decoupled and non-intrusive workflow from random field modeling to statistical characterization of structural behavior. Four engineering examples are presented to demonstrate the proposed method maintains the numerical robustness of smoothed finite element method for stochastic problems, and achieves the high efficiency and scalability in uncertainty analysis of complex structural systems.
针对涉及随机变量和随机场的弹塑性随机分析问题，提出了一种非侵入式光滑随机有限元方法。方法集成形成了一个数据驱动的协作解决方案框架，其中karhunen - lo (KL)扩展执行输入压缩，SPCE实现有效的不确定性评估。通过将KL展开与基于单元的光滑有限元相结合，该方法将材料不确定性严格限制在单个单元内，从而建立了概率空间与物理空间之间的解耦框架。这种结构对齐消除了对刚度矩阵的显式随机展开的需要，避免了弹塑性本构中非线性项的直接处理。鉴于此，将随机平衡方程正式分解为两个独立的求解阶段，即确定性核矩阵的构造和随机变量的张量运算，从而在不修改核心光滑有限元代码的情况下实现非侵入式求解路径。在确定性求解阶段，将多边形单元与应变平滑技术相结合，构建光滑积分域，实现物理场的高精度求解。在随机分析阶段，利用正交匹配追踪算法在KL约简随机空间中构造稀疏多项式混沌展开（SPCE）代理，以实现响应场不确定性的精确逼近。KL-SPCE集成产生了一个数据驱动的协作框架，实现了从随机场建模到结构行为统计表征的完全解耦和非侵入性工作流。四个工程实例表明，该方法在处理随机问题时保持了光滑有限元法的数值鲁棒性，在复杂结构系统的不确定性分析中实现了高效率和可扩展性。
{"title":"Non-intrusive smoothed stochastic finite element method with multi-source uncertainties","authors":"Shaowei Wu , Junxiong Hu , Lixiong Cao , Kexin Huang , Yongzhang Ma , Jiachang Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study proposes a non-invasive smoothed stochastic finite element method for elastic and elastoplastic stochastic analysis problems involving stochastic variables and random field. The method integration forms a data-driven collaborative solution framework, where Karhunen-Loève (KL) expansion performs input compression and SPCE enables efficient uncertainty evaluation. By coupling KL expansion with cell-based smoothed finite element, the proposed method strictly confines material uncertainties within individual elements, thereby establishing a decoupling framework between the probabilistic and physical spaces. This structural alignment eliminates the need for explicit stochastic expansion of the stiffness matrix and avoids the direct treatment of nonlinear terms in elastic-plastic constitutive. In view of that, the stochastic equilibrium equation is formally decomposed into two independent solution stages, namely the construction of the deterministic kernel matrix and the tensor operations of stochastic variables, thereby enabling a non-intrusive solution path without modifying the core smoothed finite element code. In the deterministic solving stage, a smoothing integration domain is constructed by combining polygon elements with strain smoothing techniques to achieve high-precision solution of physical fields. In the stochastic analysis stage, the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm is used to construct sparse polynomial chaos expansion (SPCE) surrogate in the KL reduced stochastic space, in order to achieve accurate approximation of uncertainty of response field. The KL-SPCE integration yields a data-driven collaborative framework that enables a fully decoupled and non-intrusive workflow from random field modeling to statistical characterization of structural behavior. Four engineering examples are presented to demonstrate the proposed method maintains the numerical robustness of smoothed finite element method for stochastic problems, and achieves the high efficiency and scalability in uncertainty analysis of complex structural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56287,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mechanical Sciences","volume":"311 ","pages":"Article 111163"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111180
Vanderson M. Dornelas , Sergio A. Oliveira , Marcelo A. Savi
Smart materials are characterized by their ability to adapt to environmental changes due to the coupling among different physical domains. The hysteretic response is a typical behavior of smart materials, representing a challenging topic for its mathematical modeling. The literature presents different approaches to deal with this modeling, and the use of data-driven, experimental-based models is an alternative that avoids the characterization of material properties, presenting simplicity as the main advantage. This paper investigates the use of a data-driven prismatic approach for the multiphysics description of the smart material hysteretic behavior. The prismatic approach promotes an extension of the classical Preisach triangular domain, allowing a broader description of material behaviors. The Preisach model is based on mathematical operators that allow the definition of the Everett function to build a surface that describes the material behavior, characterizing the hysteresis. Subsequent interpolations allow the prismatic domain description. Numerical simulations are carried out and compared with experimental data available in the literature to investigate the capabilities of the model to represent the multiphysics hysteretic behavior of smart materials. On this basis, distinct smart materials are evaluated including shape memory alloys, magnetic materials and piezoelectric materials. Results show a close agreement between numerical and experimental data, demonstrating that the proposed model is a powerful tool to describe the multiphysics aspects of smart material complex behaviors.
{"title":"Multiphysics description of smart materials using a prismatic data-driven approach","authors":"Vanderson M. Dornelas , Sergio A. Oliveira , Marcelo A. Savi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111180","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111180","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Smart materials are characterized by their ability to adapt to environmental changes due to the coupling among different physical domains. The hysteretic response is a typical behavior of smart materials, representing a challenging topic for its mathematical modeling. The literature presents different approaches to deal with this modeling, and the use of data-driven, experimental-based models is an alternative that avoids the characterization of material properties, presenting simplicity as the main advantage. This paper investigates the use of a data-driven prismatic approach for the multiphysics description of the smart material hysteretic behavior. The prismatic approach promotes an extension of the classical Preisach triangular domain, allowing a broader description of material behaviors. The Preisach model is based on mathematical operators that allow the definition of the Everett function to build a surface that describes the material behavior, characterizing the hysteresis. Subsequent interpolations allow the prismatic domain description. Numerical simulations are carried out and compared with experimental data available in the literature to investigate the capabilities of the model to represent the multiphysics hysteretic behavior of smart materials. On this basis, distinct smart materials are evaluated including shape memory alloys, magnetic materials and piezoelectric materials. Results show a close agreement between numerical and experimental data, demonstrating that the proposed model is a powerful tool to describe the multiphysics aspects of smart material complex behaviors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56287,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mechanical Sciences","volume":"311 ","pages":"Article 111180"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111200
Kun Yu , Weikai Wang , Zhuoya Wu , Xinhao Hu , Shun Wang , Yi Zhang , Nen Wan , Yili Hu , Jijie Ma , Jianping Li , Hu Huang , Hongwei Zhao , Jianming Wen
Stick-slip piezoelectric actuators are in high demand for research and industrial applications due to their high-precision, simple-control, and rapid-response. Although researchers worldwide have designed several types of piezoelectric actuators based on different principles, their application is still limited by the persistent issue of backward motion. This study proposes a stick slip piezoelectric actuator (SPA) with biped flexible structure for backward motion suppression. The two feet in the biped flexible structure collaborate under a single control signal for smooth linear motion. The principle of the actuator is presented in detail. The proposed actuator is able to suppress backward motion, enhance efficiency, and provide the capability for high-load operation and long-range displacement. The driving characteristics of the proposed mechanism were investigated through theoretical calculations and finite element analysis (FEA). A dynamic model was established based on the cooperation of the biped structure, and simulation was performed in MATLAB/Simulink. A prototype was constructed and an experimental system was set up for testing. Experimental results indicate that backward motion can be suppressed effectively . Under conditions of 120 V voltage and 600 Hz frequency, the maximum speed reaches 12.84 mm/s, the minimum single-step displacement is 4.2 μm, and it can handle a vertical load of 14 kg and a horizontal load of 70 g. Compared with conventional biped alternating control actuators, the proposed actuator not only achieves superior stepping performance but also simplifies the control system by using a single driving signal, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing system complexity and cost. These characteristics demonstrate the significant application potential of the proposed piezoelectric actuator across various fields in the future.
{"title":"Zero-phase-difference flexible biped piezoelectric actuator for backward motion suppression","authors":"Kun Yu , Weikai Wang , Zhuoya Wu , Xinhao Hu , Shun Wang , Yi Zhang , Nen Wan , Yili Hu , Jijie Ma , Jianping Li , Hu Huang , Hongwei Zhao , Jianming Wen","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111200","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111200","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Stick-slip piezoelectric actuators are in high demand for research and industrial applications due to their high-precision, simple-control, and rapid-response. Although researchers worldwide have designed several types of piezoelectric actuators based on different principles, their application is still limited by the persistent issue of backward motion. This study proposes a stick slip piezoelectric actuator (SPA) with biped flexible structure for backward motion suppression. The two feet in the biped flexible structure collaborate under a single control signal for smooth linear motion. The principle of the actuator is presented in detail. The proposed actuator is able to suppress backward motion, enhance efficiency, and provide the capability for high-load operation and long-range displacement. The driving characteristics of the proposed mechanism were investigated through theoretical calculations and finite element analysis (FEA). A dynamic model was established based on the cooperation of the biped structure, and simulation was performed in MATLAB/Simulink. A prototype was constructed and an experimental system was set up for testing. Experimental results indicate that backward motion can be suppressed effectively . Under conditions of 120 V voltage and 600 Hz frequency, the maximum speed reaches 12.84 mm/s, the minimum single-step displacement is 4.2 μm, and it can handle a vertical load of 14 kg and a horizontal load of 70 g. Compared with conventional biped alternating control actuators, the proposed actuator not only achieves superior stepping performance but also simplifies the control system by using a single driving signal, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing system complexity and cost. These characteristics demonstrate the significant application potential of the proposed piezoelectric actuator across various fields in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56287,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mechanical Sciences","volume":"311 ","pages":"Article 111200"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111182
Yanhu Zhang , Duorui Yang , Xiandi Jin , Yi Zheng , Hao Fu , Jinghu Ji , Zhengbao Yang
Ultrasonic friction-driven piezoelectric motors are critically limited by impact fatigue and interface wear, stemming from complex, multicyclic interactions at the stator/slider contact. The underlying physics—transient high-frequency impacts coupled with nonlinear friction—remains inadequately captured by conventional simulation methods, obscuring pathways to reliability improvement. This study introduces a novel multiscale SPH/FEM framework that uniquely couples finite element modelling of global piezoelectric-structural dynamics with smoothed particle hydrodynamics for solving micromechanical contact evolution. The approach directly simulates interfacial plasticity, real-time redistribution of contact stress, and wear morphology over thousands of vibration cycles. Results demonstrate spatially heterogeneous plastic strain accumulation, which quantitatively correlates with the experimentally observed indentation patterns and reveals the root cause of non-uniform wear. By resolving transient impact dynamics and cumulative damage at the interface, this work provides the first-fidelity numerical tool capable of predicting wear-life and performance degradation in low-voltage piezoelectric motors. The framework establishes a new paradigm for durable motor design, shifting optimization from trial-and-error to physics-based predictive engineering.
{"title":"Multiscale friction-impact dynamics in piezoelectric motors via SPH/FEM","authors":"Yanhu Zhang , Duorui Yang , Xiandi Jin , Yi Zheng , Hao Fu , Jinghu Ji , Zhengbao Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ultrasonic friction-driven piezoelectric motors are critically limited by impact fatigue and interface wear, stemming from complex, multicyclic interactions at the stator/slider contact. The underlying physics—transient high-frequency impacts coupled with nonlinear friction—remains inadequately captured by conventional simulation methods, obscuring pathways to reliability improvement. This study introduces a novel multiscale SPH/FEM framework that uniquely couples finite element modelling of global piezoelectric-structural dynamics with smoothed particle hydrodynamics for solving micromechanical contact evolution. The approach directly simulates interfacial plasticity, real-time redistribution of contact stress, and wear morphology over thousands of vibration cycles. Results demonstrate spatially heterogeneous plastic strain accumulation, which quantitatively correlates with the experimentally observed indentation patterns and reveals the root cause of non-uniform wear. By resolving transient impact dynamics and cumulative damage at the interface, this work provides the first-fidelity numerical tool capable of predicting wear-life and performance degradation in low-voltage piezoelectric motors. The framework establishes a new paradigm for durable motor design, shifting optimization from trial-and-error to physics-based predictive engineering.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56287,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Mechanical Sciences","volume":"311 ","pages":"Article 111182"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2026.111158
Mohammad J. Rostamani, Peyman Sobhani, Amir F. Najafi
Water transmission systems often operate at excessive pressure, resulting in substantial hydraulic energy losses that operators commonly dissipate through pressure-reducing valves. In-pipe turbines can recover this unused energy and improve the energy efficiency of water distribution networks. However, unfavourable upstream flow conditions often limit turbine performance. To address this limitation, this study introduces a turbine-deflector system designed to improve the hydrodynamic performance of in-pipe lift-based turbines by conditioning the incoming flow. First, a new geometric parameter is defined to control the variation in the deflector plate's slope. This parameter enables systematic transitions among linear, convex, and concave profiles and allows precise control of the upstream flow field. Next, the main deflector geometry is optimized using a multi-objective genetic algorithm to maximize turbine efficiency and power output simultaneously. Experimentally validated three-dimensional transient simulations show that the optimized deflector increases turbine efficiency by more than 18 % and increases power output by approximately 80 % compared with the configuration without a deflector. To maintain stable performance under changing hydraulic conditions, an adaptive guide-vane mechanism with a torsional spring is then integrated with the optimized deflector. This mechanism responds to ±20 % flow-rate fluctuations and maintains favourable incidence angles at the turbine blades. Overall, the proposed adaptive turbine–deflector configuration reduces performance degradation and offers a practical solution for energy recovery in water transmission and distribution systems.
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