1. Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Houston A National Science Foundation Sponsored Project Determination of Damping Ratio of Nanocomposite Plates Using Piezoceramics Christiana Chang Haichang Gu, PhD Gangbing Song, PhD Christiana Chang Haichang Gu, PhD Gangbing Song, PhD

2. big picture Current composites can be improved for many applications. Current composites can be improved for many applications.

3. b i g p i c t u r e Vibration affects passenger comfort and safety.

4. Project Goals objective Obtain time-domain and frequency- domain responses of nanocompostite plates Determine damping ratio of nanocomposite plates Analyze results for relationship between weight % of Carbon Nanofiber (CNF) and damping ratio

5. Figure 1: Carbon Nanofiber (CNF) Paper (Gou, Song, Gu 1 ) 1 Gou, J. and G. Song and H. Gu. “Development of Carbon Nanopaper Based Nanocomposites for Structural Damping Applications.” 2007. background Figure 2: Schematic of Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transform Molding Formed Nanocomposite Composition Vaccum-Assisted Resin Transform Molding

6. background Figure 2: Schematic of Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) Operation (Olmi, Song, Mo 2 ) 2 Olmi, C and G. Song and Y.L. Mo. “Development of an Innovative Smart Vibration Platform.” The Proceedings of the 4 th Japan-China-US Symposium on Structural Control and Monitoring”, Oct. 16-17, 2006. Piezoceramics

7. methods Sensor Actuator Spare Sensor Preparation

8. methods dSpace Data Acquisition Board ADCDAC Input Output Power Amplifier dSpace Enabled PC Sensor Actuator Nanocomposite Plate Connections

9. methods Analysis

10. ωnωn ω1ω1 ω2ω2 3 dB methods Analysis Half-Band Power Algorithm

11. results Time Domain Response

12. results Average Damping Ratio vs. Weight % CNF 0 0.5 1.01.5

13. conclusions Conclusions Carbon Nanofibers (CNF) in the composite matrix significantly damp vibration magnitude As weight % of CNF increases, magnitude of response decreases As weight % of CNF increases, damping ratio increases VARTM molding is capable of producing damped CNF nanocomposite

14. questions

15. g r a t I t u d e Acknowledgements National Science Foundation for Funding of REU University of Houston – Host of Program Smart Materials and Structures Lab – Host of Project Dr. Jan Gou, University of South Alabama – Supplier of Nanocomposite Plates REU Participants – For being there!