This research project deals with electronic gun control of smart materials and structures. Smart materials such as piezoelectrics, magnetostrictives, and electrostrictives are finding increased use in modern design because of the direct coupling they provide between mechanical energy and electrical energy. Upon application of a stress to piezoelectric material an electric field is generated in the material, and when an electric field is applied to the material it changes dimensions. This makes piezoelectric materials ideal for use in compact electromechanical actuators. The electric gun control is accomplished by critically examining the materials, structural modeling, and the system itself. This includes characterizing the electron- material interactions that occur when the electrons from the electron gun strike the piezoelectric material. Advances in structural modeling and system design are possible since an elimination of the need for static electrodes in smart structures gives the system designer a lever of latitude in structural design and control algorithm selection that has not been seen before. Successful realization of the electron- gun control concept leads to significant technological advances and industry applications in a wide range of disciplines ranging from noise suppression to medical imaging.
