Multiphysics topology optimization for piezoelectric acoustic focuser

The application of piezoelectric materials allows many advantages such as reducing the number of parts and manufacturing cost of a mechanical system. Despite these merits, the performance predictions and optimization of piezoelectric-material-based devices are challenging because of the mutual coupling between electricity and mechanics. The analysis and the optimization become more challenging when acoustics are to be coupled with piezoelectric-material-based devices. In the present study, the mutual couplings among electric, mechanics, and acoustics are simulated and its applications for the topology optimization of an acoustic energy focuser are presented. Owing to the local optima issue, some blurred and unsuccessful layouts are obtained. To overcome this issue and impose the manufacturing constraint, a modified morphology density filter is also developed. With the presented approach, it is possible to determine some optimized piezoelectric rings to focus acoustic energy. Compared with the existing design methods, some better designs in terms of objective value can be obtained by the present approach. •The multiphysics simulation for acoustic focuser topological design is performed.•Optimal numbers and locations of rings are found by topology optimization.•The manufacturing constraint is imposed by the modified density filter.•The obtained designs show superior performance on the energy focusing.•The designs are sensitive to optimization formulations.