A novel deep learning based method for the computational material design of flexoelectric nanostructures with topology optimization

We present a deep learning method to investigate the effect of flexoelectricity in nanostructures. For this purpose, deep neural network (DNN) algorithm is employed to map the relation between the inputs and the material response of interest. The DNN model is trained and tested making use of database that has been established by solving the governing equations of flexoelectricity using a NURBS-based IGA formulation at design points in the full probability space of the input parameters. Firstly, pure flexoelectric cantilever nanobeam is investigated under mechanical and electrical loading conditions. Then, structures of composite system constituted by two non-piezoelectric material phases are addressed in order to find the optimized topology with respect to the energy conversion factor. The results show promising capabilities of the proposed method, in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency. The deep learning method we used have produced superior optimal designs compared to the numerical methods. The findings of this study will be of profound interest to researcher involved further in the optimization and design of flexoelectric structures.