title: Theory of carbomorph cycles.
abstract: We present a theory of a reversibly deforming sp2-carbon-based system controlled by competing strain, surface, and electrostatic energies, a carbomorph. For example, external forces (such as electrostatic, chemical, interfacial) could convert a bistable carbon nanotube between the collapsed and inflated states. Such a system could operate as a voltage-controlled constant-force spring, a charge-controlled harmonic spring, or an electromechanical engine or generator (with linear stroke up to few microns) driven across a propagating quasi-one-dimensional structural phase transition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-6300, USA.
authors.forename: Oleg E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Shklyaev
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-6300, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mockensturm
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-6300, USA.
authors.forename: Vincent H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Crespi