Metallic Glass/PVDF Magnetoelectric Laminates for Resonant Sensors and Actuators: A Review

Among magnetoelectric (ME) heterostructures, ME laminates of the type Metglas-like/PVDF (magnetostrictive+piezoelectric constituents) have shown the highest induced ME voltages, usually detected at the magnetoelastic resonance of the magnetostrictive constituent. This ME coupling happens because of the high cross-correlation coupling between magnetostrictive and piezoelectric material, and is usually associated with a promising application scenario for sensors or actuators. In this work we detail the basis of the operation of such devices, as well as some arising questions (as size effects) concerning their best performance. Also, some examples of their use as very sensitive magnetic fields sensors or innovative energy harvesting devices will be reviewed. At the end, the challenges, future perspectives and technical difficulties that will determine the success of ME composites for sensor applications are discussed.Jon Gutierrez, Andoni Lasheras and Jose M. Barandiaran would like to thank the financial support from the Basque Government under ACTIMAT and MICRO4FAB projects (Etortek program) and Research Groups IT711-13 project. Andoni Lasheras wants to thank the Basque Government for financial support under FPI Grant. Technical and human support provided by SGIker (UPV/EHU, MICINN, GV/EJ, ESF) is gratefully acknowledged. Pedro Martins, Nelson Pereira and Senentxu Lanceros-Mendez thank the Portuguese Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) for financial support under Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013 and project PTDC/EEI-SII/5582/2014, including FEDER funds, UE. Pedro Martins acknowledges also support from FCT (SFRH/BPD/96227/2013 grant). Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project MAT2016-76039-C4-3-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) (including the FEDER financial support) is also acknowledged