Electrostatic operation and curvature modeling for a MEMS flexible film actuator

In this paper we develop a mathematical model to simulate the actuation of a multilayer metallic strip. In the first step of the model development, we employ previous theory to quantify the radius of curvature in the unimorph due to differing thermal coefficients in the constituent materials. The resulting radius of curvature is subsequently used to compute the voltage required to uncurl the actuator. Numerical experiments were performed with the model and the trends were found to be in agreement with experimental data.