Modeling, Control And Application Of Piezoelectric Actuators

Nanotechnology is a growing area that educators are interested in attracting students to. Smart materials have become the workhorse in a multitude of nanotechnology. One example is the piezoelectric actuators which are used for nano-positioning in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The majority of today's engineering and technology students are unaware of the remarkable properties of smart materials as well as their applications in nanotechnology. Therefore, providing students with the knowledge and experience of piezoelectric actuators is the crucial step in integrating nanotechnology into engineering and technology education.One course module has been developed for introducing modeling, control, and application of piezoelectric actuators to undergraduate students at Jackson State University. This module includes classroom lectures, demonstrations, and actual exercises. This paper discusses the development and implementation of the teaching module and provides some initial student feedback. The course module description and covered topics are presented in detailed. The course module presented in this paper can easily and seamlessly be integrated to the existing engineering and technology courses.