Towards Understanding Why the Thin Membrane Transducer Deforms：Surface Stress-Induced Buckling

This study is directed towards a comprehensive exploration on the deformation mechanism of the thin membrane transducer(TMT) caused by surface stress variation.We stress that the biomolecular interaction has changed the magnitude of the surface stress;and when the surface stress exceeds a critical value the TMT will buckle and deform.Based upon Gurtin’s theory of surface elasticity and principle of finite deformation,we abstract the TMT as a nanobeam with two clamped ends,and the close-formed governing equation set is derived accordingly.A computer code via the shooting method is developed to solve the presented two-point boundary value problem.In succession,the nanobeam deflection and critical parameters for buckling are quantitatively discussed.This investigation lays the theoretical foundation of TMTs;and it is also beneficial to gain deep insight into characterizing mechanical properties of nanomaterials and engineering nano-devices.