Analysis and simulation of curved bimorph microactuators

Sagnik Pal*, Huikai Xie

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Difference in strains in the two layers of a bimorph causes it to curl, thereby leading to actuation. Thermal, piezoelectric and shape-memory alloy based straight bimorph actuators that undergo out-of-plane bending have been widely reported. We propose a new class of microactuators based on curved bimorphs and report their analysis for the first time. The distinguishing feature of curved bimorphs is that out-of-plane bending and twisting deformations are coupled. Analytical expressions for the vertical deflection and bimorph twist are obtained. The analysis is validated via finite-element simulations. The center of a micromirror-plate actuated by straight bimorphs shifts significantly during actuation. A novel design based on curved bimorph is proposed in which the mirror-plate center shift is only 0.4 μm for 13.5 degrees mirror tilt.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNanotechnology 2010
Subtitle of host publicationElectronics, Devices, Fabrication, MEMS, Fluidics and Computational - Technical Proceedings of the 2010 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Expo, NSTI-Nanotech 2010
Pages685-688
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventNanotechnology 2010: Electronics, Devices, Fabrication, MEMS, Fluidics and Computational - 2010 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Expo, NSTI-Nanotech 2010 - Anaheim, CA, United States
Duration: 21 Jun 201024 Jun 2010

Publication series

NameNanotechnology 2010: Electronics, Devices, Fabrication, MEMS, Fluidics and Computational - Technical Proceedings of the 2010 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Expo, NSTI-Nanotech 2010
Volume2

Conference

ConferenceNanotechnology 2010: Electronics, Devices, Fabrication, MEMS, Fluidics and Computational - 2010 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Expo, NSTI-Nanotech 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim, CA
Period21/06/1024/06/10

Keywords

  • Bimorph
  • Curved bimorph
  • Micromirror
  • Piezoelectric
  • SMA
  • Thermal

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