The project is aimed to study and develop the class of devices based on the coupling between magnetostrictive and piezoelectric materials, leading to the so called magnetoelectric effect (ME). Although this effect can also be shown in single-phase materials, mechanically mediated multi-phase composites, also referred to as multiferroic composites, are usually considered in this framework. The ME is the product of piezoelectricity and magnetostriction, taking place in the ferroelectric phase and ferromagnetic phase, respectively, connected by the elastic response. This effect can be exploited for sensing and actuating purposes.

In particular, the project is aimed to:

1) design and assemble a device based on rods, cylinders and “cymbals” of smart materials and a plastic holder 3D printed;

2) experimentally characterize the device in our lab;

It is worth highlight that this is a pretty experimental project, as for past MIT projects here at Unisannio in our group.