Developing piezoelectric sensors from microstructures obtained by 3D printing

In this work, 3D models of piezoacoustic elements constructed from microstructures of specific geometry were developed. These models were prepared by 3D printing, taking into account peculiarities of their geometry and a small size of constituent cells. Prototypes were obtained using stereolithography (SLA) technology after several printing attempts. These prototypes were examined for defects and the quality of the obtained elements (preservation of the necessary microcell structures). A technology for manufacturing elements of this type on a 3D printer was obtained. These designs can be used in practice as piezoelectric or piezo-acoustic elements by adding a piezoelectric powder to a polymer, for example, in ultrasonic flow meters, or used to create optical structures, for example, diffractive optical elements. Computer modeling and comparison of the acoustic signal emission of standard piezoacoustic elements, as well as elements from the proposed microstructures, were carried out. Also, a study was conducted of the emitted and received signals of piezoacoustic and piezoelectric elements.