A form-finding strategy for magneto-elastic actuators

Abstract We study the inverse problem which arises when designing thin magneto-elastic actuators with bespoken deformation modes. By using the nonlinear model of magneto-elastic rods which we have recently proposed, we formulate the design problem as a PDE-constrained minimization whose solution gives to the optimal distribution of the magnetization profile necessary to achieve the desired shape. The same problem is extended to control multiple deformed configurations which would allow a controlled motion of the actuator to be realised.