Frequency response of primary resonance of electrostatically actuated CNT cantilevers

This paper deals with electrostatically actuated carbon nanotube (CNT) cantilever over a parallel ground plate. Three forces act on the CNTs cantilever, namely electrostatic, van der Waals, and damping. The van der Waals force is significant for values of 50 nm or less of the gap between the CNT and the ground plate. As both forces electrostatic and van der Waals are nonlinear, and the CNTs electrostatic actuation is given by AC voltage, the CNT undergoes nonlinear parametric dynamics. The methods of multiple scales and reduced order model (ROM) are used to investigate the system under soft AC near half natural frequency of the CNT and weak nonlinearities. The frequency–amplitude response and damping, voltage, and van der Waals effects on the response are reported. It is showed that only five terms ROM predicts and accurately predicts the pull-in instability and the saddle-node bifurcation, respectively.     

Bifurcation and pull-in voltages of primary resonance of electrostatically actuated SWCNT cantilevers to include van der Waals effect

In this work the voltage response of primary resonance of electrostatically actuated single wall carbon nano tubes (SWCNT) cantilevers over a parallel ground plate is investigated. Three forces act on the SWCNT cantilever, namely electrostatic, van der Waals and damping. While the damping is linear, the electrostatic and van der Waals forces are nonlinear. Moreover, the electrostatic force is also parametric since it is given by AC voltage. Under these forces the dynamics of the SWCNT is nonlinear parametric. The van der Waals force is significant for values less than 50 nm of the gap between the SWCNT and the ground substrate. Reduced order model method (ROM) is used to investigate the system under soft excitation and weak nonlinearities. The voltage-amplitude response and influences of parameters are reported for primary resonance (AC near half natural frequency).     

Nonlocal beam theory for nonlinear vibrations of embedded multiwalled carbon nanotubes in thermal environment

A nonlocal elastic beam model is developed to investigate the small scale effects on the large-amplitude vibration analysis of embedded multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at an elevated temperature. The nested slender nanotubes are coupled with each other through the van der Waals (vdW) interlayer interaction. The curvature-dependent vdW force employed incorporates not only pairwise nearest-neighbor but also nonneighbor interactions between nested nanotubes. The incremental harmonic balance method is adopted to analytically solve the nonlinear equations that are governed by the vibrations of nested nanotubes. The influences of small scale parameter, geometrical parameters, temperature rise, and the elastic medium are fully examined.     

Rippling effect on the structural response of electrostatically actuated single-walled carbon nanotube based NEMS actuators

Several nonlinear phenomena have shown to have significant effect on the electromechanical performance of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) based nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) devices. To name few: the van der Waals forces, the Casimir forces, the tip charge concentration and the rippling phenomenon. Some of these effects have been take care of in previous investigation; however, some have been disregarded in the mechanical models suggested for simulation of the SWCNT based structures. In this paper, the influence of rippling deformation on the vibration characteristics of SWCNT based actuators is investigated using a nonlinear Euler-Bernoulli beam theory that incorporates the effect of rippling deformation using an improved function including some correcting terms for the SWCNT curvature (rippling deformation). The influence of the Casimir and the van der Waals attraction forces are considered in the proposed model as well as the size-dependent behavior assuming the so-called Eringen nonlocal elasticity theory. The dynamic response of CNT is investigated based on time history and phase portrait plots of the CNT based nano-actuator. It is shown that the rippling deformation can significantly decrease the static as well as the dynamic pull-in voltage of the SWCNT based actuator. The rippling deformation of SWCNT decreases the dynamic pull-in time as well. Effect of various factors such as the DC actuation load and the Casimir attractive forces on the dynamic stability and the pull-in characteristics of the nano-actuator are examined. Results of the present study are beneficial to accurate design and fabrication of electromechanical CNT based actuators. Comparison between the obtained results and those reported in the literature by experiments and molecular dynamics, verifies the integrity of the present numerical analysis.     

NONLINEAR DYNAMIC INSTABILITY OF DOUBLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES UNDER PERIODIC EXCITATION

A multiple-elastic beam model based on Euler-Bernoulli-beam theory is presented to investigate the nonlinear dynamic instability of double-walled nanotubes. Taking the geometric nonlinearity of structure deformation, the effects of van der Waals forces as well as the non- coaxial curvature of each nested tube into account, the nonlinear parametric vibration governing equations are derived. Numerical results indicate that the double-walled nanotube （DWNT） can be considered as a single column when the van der Waals forces are sufficiently strong. The stiffness of medium could substantially reduce the area of the nonlinear dynamic instability region, in particular, the geometric nonlinearity can be out of account when the stiffness is large enough. The area of the principal nonlinear instability region and its shifting distance aroused by the nonlinearity both decrease with the increment of the aspect ratio of the nanotubes.     

Investigation of size-dependent quasistatic response of electrically actuated nonlinear viscoelastic microcantilevers and microbridges

This study investigates the size-dependent quasistatic response of a nonlinear viscoelastic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) under an electric actuation. To have this problem in view, the deformable electrode of the MEMS is modelled using cantilever and doubly-clamped viscoelastic microbeams. The modified couple stress theory in conjunction with Bernoulli–Euler beam theory are used for mathematical modeling of the size-dependent instability of microsystems in the framework of linear viscoelastic theory. Simultaneous effect of electrostatic actuation including fringing field, residual stress, mid-plane stretching and Casimir and van der Waals intermolecular forces are considered in the theoretical model. A single element of the standard linear solid element is used to simulate the viscoelastic behavior. Based on the extended Hamilton’s variational principle, the nonlinear governing integro-differential equation and boundary conditions are derived. Thereafter, a new generalized differential-integral quadrature solution for the nonlinear quasistatic response of electrically actuated viscoelastic micro/nanobeams under two different boundary conditions; doubly-clamped microbridge and clamped-free microcantilever. The developed model is verified and a good agreement is obtained. Finally, a comprehensive study is conducted to investigate the effects of various parameters such as material relaxation time, durable modulus, material length scale parameter, Casimir force, van der Waals force, initial gap and beam length on the pull-in response of viscoelastic microbridges and microcantilevers in the framework of viscoelasticity.     

Effects of the van der Waals force,squeeze-film damping,and contact bounce on the dynamics of electrostatic microcantilevers before and after pull-in

The operational range of microcantilever beams under electrostatic force can be extended beyond pull-in in the presence of an intermediate dielectric layer. In this paper, a systematic method for deriving dynamic equation of microcantilevers under electrostatic force is presented. This model covers the behavior of the microcantilevers before and after the pull-in including the effects of van der Waals force, squeeze-film damping, and contact bounce. First, a polynomial approximate shape function with a time-dependent variable for each configuration is defined. Using Hamilton’s principle, dynamic equations of microcantilever in all configurations have been derived. Comparison between modeling results and previous experimental data that have been used for validation of the model shows a good agreement.     

范德华力对磁头/硬盘系统气体润滑特性的影响

通过数值方法分析范德华力对磁头承载力的影响以及随飞行姿态的变化规律.结果表明,范德华力主要作用在磁头滑块尾部的凸台上,当飞行高度低于10 nm后,范德华力使得滑块的承载能力明显降低,从而导致飞行高度下降.范德华力主要与飞行高度和俯仰角有关,随着飞行高度和俯仰角减小,范德华力使承载能力和俯仰转矩明显减小.范德华力对侧翻角的影响不敏感,随着侧翻角的增加,范德华力使滑块的承载能力和侧翻转矩略微减小.在磁头设计时,通过增加俯仰角和减小尾部凸台面积可以减小范德华力的影响.     

A glance on the effects of temperature on axisymmetric dynamic behavior of multiwall carbon nanotubes

In this paper the effects of temperature on theradial breathing modes(RBMs) and radial wave propagation in multiwall carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs) are investigated using a continuum model of multiple elastic isotropicshells.The van der Waals forces between tubes are simulatedas a nonlinear function of interlayer spacing of MWCNTs.The governing equations are solved using a finite elementmethod.A wide range of innermost radius-to-thickness ratioof MWCNTs is considered to enhance the investigation.Thepresented solution is verified by comparing the results withthose reported in the literature.The effects of temperature onthe van der Waals interaction coefficient between layers ofMWCNTs are examined.It is found that the variation of thevan der Waals interaction coefficient at high temperature issensible.Subsequently,variations of RBM frequencies andradial wave propagation in MWCNTs with temperatures upto 1 600 K are illustrated.It is shown that the thick MWCNTs are more sensible to temperature than the thin ones.     

范德华力对多壁纳米碳管力学性质的影响

用分子动力学方法模拟了多壁纳米碳管在压缩、弯曲变形下力与变形的关系．通过与组成多壁碳管的各单壁碳管的比较分析,揭示了多壁纳米碳管层间范德华力对碳管力学性质的影响．采用Tersoff-Brenner势描述每一单壁纳米碳管内原子间作用,采用Lennard-Jones势描述碳管壁间范德华力．计算结果表明：多壁纳米碳管的比强度明显高于单壁纳米碳管．纳米碳管的半径虽然对杨氏模量影响不大,但对纳米碳管的曲屈行为影响却相当显著。     

Electromechanical coupled nonlinear dynamics for microbeams

In this paper, an electromechanical coupled nonlinear dynamic equation of a microbeam under an electrostatic force is presented. Using the nonlinear dynamic equations and perturbation method, we investigated nonlinear free vibrations, forced responses far from and near to natural frequency, respectively. Nonlinear natural frequencies and vibrating amplitudes of the electromechanical coupled microbeam are dependent on the mechanical and electric parameters. Compared with linear forced responses, the obvious shift of the mean dynamic response occurs. Under certain condition, the jump phenomenon will occur. The studies can be used to design parameters of the microbeam and remove undesirable dynamic behavior such as jump phenomenon, etc.     

Nonlinear finite element analysis for vibrations of double-walled carbon nanotubes

The large-amplitude free vibration analysis of double-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in an elastic medium is investigated by means of a finite element formulation. A double-beam model is utilized in which the governing equations of layers are coupled with each other via the van der Waals interlayer forces. Von-Karman type nonlinear strain-displacement relationships are employed where the ends of the nanotube are constrained to move axially. The amplitude-frequency response curves for large-amplitude free vibrations of single-walled and double-walled carbon nanotubes with arbitrary boundary conditions are graphically illustrated. The effects of material constant of the surrounding elastic medium and the geometric parameters on the vibration characteristics are investigated. For a double-walled carbon nanotube with different boundary conditions between inner and outer tubes, the nonlinear frequencies are obtained apparently for the first time. Comparison of the results with those from the open literature is made for the amplitude-frequency curves where possible. This comparison illustrates that the present scheme yields very accurate results in predicting the nonlinear frequencies.     

典型纳尺度结构的热振动

热振动是一定温度下纳尺度结构的固有运动,对其动力学行为有着重要的影响.当空间进入纳米尺度,结构呈现离散性,量子效应、边界效应、范德华力等变得不可忽略,纳尺度结构在热噪声随机激励下的动力学行为表现出众多异乎寻常的特性.以碳纳米管和石墨烯为代表的纳尺度碳材料具有优良的力学、电学和化学性质.在此介绍多种针对纳尺度结构热振动问题的研究方法、及碳纳米管和石墨烯的低温热振动、碳纳米管的非线性热振动研究进展.     

介电弹性作动器主动隔振模糊控制试验研究

采用模糊控制策略,开展介电弹性作动器的主动隔振性能试验研究。基于介电弹性材料的Maxwell应力模型建立了作动器的力电耦合模型,分析了作动器的非线性特性;针对隔振系统设计了Mamdani型模糊控制器,建立了控制电压信号与振动响应之间的关系;在此基础上,开展了介电弹性作动器主动隔振试验研究,并与加速度反馈控制进行了对比。试验结果表明,在相同驱动电压的情况下,基于模糊控制策略的主动隔振性能要优于加速度反馈控制,且能够显著降低由于非线性驱动力导致的倍频响应幅值,有助于提高隔振系统的稳定性。     

DEM analysis of the effect of electrostatic interaction on particle mixing for carrier-based dry powder inhaler formulations

Particle interactions play a significant role in controlling the performance of dry powder inhalers (DPIs), which mainly arise through van der Waals potentials, electrostatic interactions, and capillary forces. Our aim is to investigate the influence of electrostatic charge on the performance of DPIs as a basis for improving the formulation of the particle ingredients. The mixing process of carrier and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particles in a vibrating container is investigated using a discrete element method (DEM). The number of API particles attaching to the carrier particle (i.e., contact number) increases with increasing charge and decreases with increasing container size. The contact number decreases with increasing vibrational velocity amplitude and frequency. Moreover, a mechanism governed by the electrostatic force is proposed for the mixing process. This mechanism is different from that previously proposed for the mixing process governed by van der Waals forces, indicating that long-range and short-range adhesive forces can result in different mixing behaviours.     

Design of nonlinear springs for attaining a linear response in gap-closing electrostatic actuators

Gap-closing electrostatic actuators are inherently nonlinear and their dynamic range is often limited by the pull-in instability. To overcome this, we propose a nonlinear spring that counteracts the nonlinear effects of electrostatic attraction. The nonlinear spring is designed to extend the stable range of the actuator and to enforce a linear electromechanical response. We present a method for designing elastic springs with monotonically increasing stiffness. The mechanism we propose is effective shortening of a straight clamed-guided beam flexure, by wrapping it over a cam. We consider two specific cases. The first case assumes the wrapped section of the beam flexure fully conforms to the cam shape. The second case assumes that there is a single contact point between the beam flexure and the cam. To validate the concept we have designed and measured the response of a nonlinear spring with a prescribed force–displacement law. Experimental measurements of a macro-scale spring are in good agreement with the model predictions.     

Effect of Longitudinal Magnetic Field on Vibration Response of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Embedded in Viscoelastic Medium

This paper aims to study the effect of externally applied longitudinal magnetic field on the transverse vibration of viscoelastic double-walled carbon nanotubes(visco-DWCNTs)embedded in a viscoelastic medium. The analyses are carried out based on the nonlocal viscoelastic model and Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Governing equations are derived for the vibration of the embedded visco-DWCNT subjected to a magnetic field, where the Lorentz magnetic force,the surrounding viscoelastic medium, the intertube van der Waals forces and viscoelasticity of the DWCNT are taken into consideration. In this study, the transfer function method is employed to solve the governing equations, which enables one to obtain the natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes in closed form for the DWCNTs with arbitrary boundary conditions.Here the developed mechanics model is first compared with the existing techniques available in the literature in a few particular cases, where excellent agreement is achieved. The validation of the model is followed by a detailed parametric study of the effects of longitudinal magnetic field,nonlocal parameter, boundary conditions, structural damping coefficient and aspect ratio of the DWCNTs on their vibration. The study demonstrates the efficiency of the present technique designed for vibration analysis of a complicated multi-physics system comprising DWCNTs, the viscoelastic medium and a magnetic field in longitudinal direction.     

Upper and lower bounds for the pull-in parameters of a micro- or nanocantilever on a flexible support

An analytical method is proposed to accurately estimate the pull-in parameters of a micro- or nanocantilever beam elastically constrained by a rotational spring at one end. The system is actuated by electrostatic force and subject to Casimir or van der Waals forces according to the beam size. The deflection of the beam is described by a fourth-order nonlinear boundary value problem, or equivalently in terms of a nonlinear integral equation. New a priori analytical estimates on the solution from both sides are first derived and then lower and upper bounds for the pull-in parameters are obtained, with no need of solving the nonlinear boundary value problem. The lower and upper bounds turn out to be very close each other and in excellent agreement with the numerical results provided by the shooting method. The approach also provides accurate predictions for the pull-in parameters of a freestanding nanoactuator.     

Dynamic stability of electrostatic torsional actuators with van der Waals effect

The influence of van der Waals (vdW) force on the stability of electrostatic torsional nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) actuators is analyzed in the paper. The dependence of the critical tilting angle and voltage is investigated on the sizes of structure with the consideration of vdW effects. The pull-in phenomenon without the electrostatic torque is studied, and a critical pull-in gap is derived. A dimensionless equation of motion is presented, and the qualitative analysis of it shows that the equilibrium points of the corresponding autonomous system include center points, stable focus points, and unstable saddle points. The Hopf bifurcation points and fork bifurcation points also exist in the system. The phase portraits connecting these equilibrium points exhibit periodic orbits, heteroclinic orbits, as well as homoclinic orbits.     

Parametric variational principle and quadratic programming method for van der Waals force simulation of parallel and cross nanotubes

A parametric variational principle for van der Waals force simulation between any two adjacent nonbonded atoms and the corresponding improved quadratic programming method for numerical simulation of mechanical behaviors of carbon nanotubes are developed. Carbon nanotubes are modeled and computed based on molecular structural mechanics model. van der Waals force is simulated by the network of bars (called bar network) with a special nonlinear mechanical constitutive law (called generalized parametric constitutive law) in the finite element analysis. Compared with conventional numerical methods, the proposed method does not depend on displacement and stress iteration, but on the base exchanges in the solution of a standard quadratic programming problem. Thus, the model and method developed present very good convergence behavior in computation and provide accurate predictions of the mechanical behaviors and displacement distributions in the nanotubes. Numerical results demonstrate the validity and the efficiency of the proposed method.