This paper presents an electromechanical comparison of the transduction capabilities of a clamped-free Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) actuated unimorph to other unimorphs employing monolithic piezoceramic devices. Four cantilevered unimorph beams, employing PSI PZT-5A, PSI PZT-5H, MIDE QP10N and MFC 8528-P1 type devices, are analyzed in the comparison. The unimorphs are evaluated for their actuation performance via tip displacement induced with harmonic voltage excitation, energy harvesting via electrical power output on a resistive shunt induced by harmonic base acceleration and linear feedback control effectiveness with the application of a Positive Position Feedback controller. The constitutive nonlinearities arising from large strain and electric field amplitudes are identified and briefly discussed. The MFC 8528-P1 type unimorph showed the highest mass-normalized actuation authority and the lowest energy harvesting capability. 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
