Study of the Magnetoelectric Effect in PVDF/Ni Composites

The magnetoelectric (ME) effect consists in the generation of voltages by magnetic fields. In this work, we focus on ME composites, combining a piezoelectric polymer (PVDF) and a magnetostrictive material (Ni). In this case the ME coupling occurs indirectly via strain induced between the two layers. The deep study and understanding of this strain-mediated ME effect might serve for new magnetic field detecting technologies, e.g. for flexible ME transducers, with better performances. Our goal is to evaluate, through simulations and experimental procedures, the voltage outputs generated by magnetic fields and demonstrate the ME coupling in PVDF/Ni composites.