Multiscale optimization of magnetoelectric composite materials – Effect of material combination

Multiscale optimal designs that maximize the magnetoelectric (ME) effect are presented for typical ferroelectric and ferromagnetic material combinations, based on a study of novel microstructures, in an effort to achieve ME properties superior to those of the conventional structure. The asymptotic homogenization theory was employed for scale bridging and numerical solutions were obtained using the finite element method. The longitudinal homogenized ME constant was adopted as the objective function. The phase composition, arrangement, and polarization direction in the microstructure were set as design variables. For all material combinations, multiscale optimization was achieved for novel microstructures beyond existing laminated structures, with the optimum microstructure depending on the material combination. The findings of the study are expected to be useful in the development of high-performance multiferroic composite materials.