An emerging research in maintenance of industrial structures is focused on developing embedded devices capable of monitoring structural health over time and in situ (SHM). P(VDF-TrFE), a piezoelectric polymer, enables the fabrication of screen-printed ultrasound transducers that are flexible and only a few micrometers thick. These devices can be integrated into curved structures for SHM applications. Given the lower energy conversion efficiency of piezoelectric polymers compared to ceramics, an analysis of geometric parameters (including transducer radii and acoustic wavelengths) is performed to inform future design optimizations for structurally complex environments. A multiphysics numerical model of the coupled transducer-structure system is developed and compared against analytical formulations and experimental measurements. Finally, the transducers and arrays are being deployed in acoustic emission applications, notably for hydrogen tank surveillance and industrial pipeline monitoring.
