Pull-in behavior of a bio-mass sensor based on an electrostatically actuated cantilevered CNT with consideration of rippling effect

Abstract

This paper examines the pull-in behavior of a bio-mass sensor with a cantilevered CNT actuated electrostatically by considering rippling deformation. Although this phenomenon can remarkably change the behavior of CNT, its effect on the performance of a CNT-based mass sensor has not been investigated thus far. This investigation is based on modified Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and rippling effect is entered into the equations related to the cantilevered CNT-bases sensor. The impact of other properties like different masses, mechanical damping and intermolecular force is studied in this paper, as well. The results reveal that rippling deformation decreases the pull-in voltage and tip deflection of CNT but enhances the pull-in time. Results related to the impact of other mentioned properties are presented, too. The results are compared with other pull-in sensor equations in the literature and “molecular dynamics", in both of which an excellent agreement is seen, to verify the soundness of this study.