Nonlocal Timoshenko shear beam model for multilayer curved graphene nano-switches

Abstract

Abstract Graphene sheets are the basis of nano-electromechanical switches, which offer a unique insight into the world of quantum mechanics. In this paper, we proposed a new size-dependent multi-beam shear model for investigating the pull-in instability of multilayer graphene/substrate nano-switches within the context of the Timoshenko beam theory. As the graphene/substrate bemas bent toward the graphene layer due to the thermomechanical mismatch, the impact of curvature is considered in the proposed model. Also, the impact of the Casimir attraction is incorporated in the developed model by taking into account the limited conductivity of interacting surfaces. The scale dependency of the materials is considered in the framework of the nonlocal elasticity. To simulate the nano-switch and explore the pull-in instability, a finite element procedure is developed. The proposed approach is verified by comparing the pull-in voltage to published data. Finally, the role of influential parameters, including size dependency, length, initial gap, curvature, and the number of graphene layers on instability voltage of nano-switch, are investigated.