skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Search for: All records

Creators/Authors contains: "Dee, Zaiden"

Note: When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
What is a DOI Number?

Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from this site.

  1. Abstract Traditional piezoelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), are widely used due to their superior ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. However, these lead-based ceramics are highly toxic and environmentally hazardous. This report explores Rochelle salt as an eco-friendly alternative, despite its brittleness and lower piezoelectric properties compared to PZT. The study investigates methods to enhance the energy capture of Rochelle salt crystals(RS) by varying crystal volume, impact frequency, and force, as well as by incorporating the 3D-printed biomimetic structure inspired by the pomelo fruit peel, which is naturally optimized for absorbing out-of-plane crushing forces. Experimental crystals grown within this structure were compared with those grown without it, focusing on energy capture and durability. Additionally, units with a 64:36 crystal-to-resin ratio were designed to assess the impact of crystal volume on voltage output. The experiments involved varying impact frequencies (120 rpm and 250 rpm) and compression distances (0.034 and 0.068 inches) using a digital oscilloscope and a custom crank slider mechanism. The results indicate that reducing crystal thickness and increasing rpms enhance voltage capture, suggesting that biomimetic structures can significantly improve the mechanical and electrical performance of piezoelectric materials. 
    more » « less
    Free, publicly-accessible full text available June 30, 2026