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Lumped modeling of carbon nanotubes for M/NEMS simulation

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Abstract

This paper presents a lumped model of a single walled carbon nanotube (CNT) using structural matrix mechanics. We implement the CNT model in Sugar and SugarCube to facilitate the design, modeling and simulation of combined micro and nano-scale systems. That is, where users can explore the application of CNTs as components of an electromechanical system. Our lumped CNT model is able to represent the dynamic response of a zigzag or armchair chirality, with the desired diameter, length, and distributed loading parameters. Our present dynamic CNT model is limited to small deflections and user-defined geometric properties. Our tools are accessible through the Web with remote computation at http://www.nanoHUB.org.

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Acknowledgments

This work was sponsored in part by the NSF-supported nanoHUB and an NSF grant for Cyber-enabled Discovery and Innovation. The authors acknowledge Prabhakar Marepalli for his thoughtful insights and discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Richa Bansal

  2. Electrical and Computer, and Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Jason V. Clark

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  1. Richa Bansal
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  2. Jason V. Clark
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Correspondence to Richa Bansal.

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Bansal, R., Clark, J.V. Lumped modeling of carbon nanotubes for M/NEMS simulation. Microsyst Technol 18, 1963–1970 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-012-1509-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-012-1509-x

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