Smart vibration control by electromechanical devices: modelling, tuning and applications.

Piezoelectric and electro-magnetic devices are nowadays increasingly at the earth of smart vibration mitigation strategies, providing a significant simplification to control systems by their electromechanical coupling, which enables direct conversion between mechanical and electrical energy. Modern electromechanical devices are compact in geometry and possess forcing levels that makes appropriate for the control of lightweight and flexible structures. Especially, they excel as decentralized actuators with embedded feedback loops or shunted electronic networks. Furthermore, they have gained technological maturity and reliability, while their ability to act simultaneously as sensors and actuators allows them to operate in both active and passive control strategies.

Piezoelectric and electro-magnetic vibration control systems share basic principles - based on similar electromechanical coupling characteristics - whereby developments in one field can often be considered and exploited for the other, resulting in significant similarities with respect to analysis, design and tuning. This mini-symposium is therefore an opportunity for scientists working in the fields of smart electromechanical systems to meet, share ideas and discuss recent results. Particular focus will be devoted to the modelling, tuning and experimental characterization of smart vibration mitigation systems with integrated piezoelectric or electro-magnetic devices, operating in passive, semi-active or fully active control configurations. Moreover, contributions concerning specific applications, both at industrial and exploratory or prototype level, are highly appreciated.