Piezoelectric floating mass transducer as micro actuator working with magnetorheological elastomer

This study analyzes the application of a piezoelectric floating mass transducer (FMT) combined with a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) for exciting the ossicular chain and general mechanical systems. The results highlight the effectiveness of the FMT in inducing vibrations, further enhanced by the adaptive properties of the MRE, making it a promising option for broader engineering and biomedical applications, including hearing restoration devices. The study confirms that resonance tuning and the magnetic field-dependent properties of the MRE are crucial for optimizing vibration performance, significantly affecting energy transfer, while the MRE provides additional control over stiffness and damping. Compared to conventional actuators, the FMT-MRE system offers advantages in terms of frequency adaptability, though challenges remain due to nonlinear behaviors induced by MRE hysteresis. The full practical implementation is limited by the occurrence of irregular vibrations and bistability under high-voltage excitations. Firstly, a simplified 1-degree-of-freedom pure MRE system modelled with the Bouc-Wen component is analysed at low and high excitation frequency. Next, application for the middle ear implants is studied in case of linear and nonlinear system. • The integration of a magnetorheological elastomer (ME) with piezoelectric floating mass transducer (smartPFMT) offers tunable stiffness and damping properties that allows for precise control of vibration amplitude. • smartPFMT helps to minimize unwanted irregular vibrations, which is particularly important in sensitive applications like middle ear implants. • Low and also high frequency hysteresis effect is observed in the system with ME. • Bistability and irregularity of the system with ME is observed during strong stimulation. • The combined benefits of size, adaptability, and energy efficiency make the smartFMT promising for hearing restoration and others engineering applications including energy harvesting.