Pull-in instability tuning in imperfect nonlinear circular microplates under electrostatic actuation

Dynamic range improvement based on geometric nonlinearity and initial deflection is demonstrated with imperfect circular microplates under electrostatic actuation. Depending on design parameters, we prove how the von Karman nonlinearity and the plate imperfections lead to a significant delay in pull-in occurrence. These promising results open the way towards an accurate identification of static parameters of circular microplates and the development of a predictive model for the nonlinear dynamics of imperfect capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.