arXiv subjects

Andrew A. Lacey

Publications and source records attributed to Andrew A. Lacey.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Analysis of a Model for Electrical Discharge in MEMS

We study the local well-posedness of the solution to a coupled nonlinear elliptic-parabolic system which models electrical discharge in a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS). A simple MEMS capacitor device contains two plates acting as the capacitor's electrodes, one of which is flexible, and which are separated by a narrow gas-filled gap. In the event of the flexible plate approaching the other, electrical discharge can occur. This is modelled here by two parabolic equations, for densities of electrons and positive ions, and an elliptic equation for electric potential. We show the local-in-time existence of a weak solution for the coupled system. Compactness techniques, used previously in the study of drift-diffusion equations, are employed in our proof.

math.AP↗

arXiv2024

Existence and uniqueness for a coupled parabolic-hyperbolic model of MEMS

Local well-posedness for a nonlinear parabolic-hyperbolic coupled system modelling Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) is studied. The particular device considered is a simple capacitor with two closely separated plates, one of which has motion modelled by a semi-linear hyperbolic equation. The gap between the plates contains a gas and the gas pressure is taken to obey a quasi-linear parabolic Reynolds' equation. Local-in-time existence of strict solutions of the system is shown, using well-known local-in-time existence results for the hyperbolic equation, then Hölder continuous dependence of its solution on that of the parabolic equation, and finally getting local-in-time existence for a combined abstract parabolic problem. Semigroup approaches are vital for the local-in-time existence results.

math.AP↗

arXiv2023

Wellposedness of a nonlinear parabolic-dispersive coupled system modelling MEMS

In this paper we study the local wellposedness of the solution to a non-linear parabolic-dispersive coupled system which models a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS). A simple electrostatically actuated MEMS capacitor device has two parallel plates separated by a gas-filled thin gap. The nonlinear parabolic-dispersive coupled system modelling the device consists of a quasilinear parabolic equation for the gas pressure and a semilinear plate equation for gap width. We show the local-in-time existence of strict solutions for the system, by combining a local-in-time existence result for the dispersive equation, Hölder continuous dependence of its solution on that of the parabolic equation, and then local-in-time existence for a resulting abstract parabolic problem. Semigroup approaches are vital for both main parts of the problem.

math.AP↗

arXiv2023

Wellposedness of an elliptic-dispersive coupled system for MEMS

In this work, we study the local wellposedness of the solution to a nonlinear elliptic-dispersive coupled system which serves as a model for a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS). A simple electrostatically actuated MEMS capacitor device consists of two parallel plates separated by a gas-filled thin gap. The nonlinear elliptic-dispersive coupled system modelling the device combines a linear elliptic equation for the gas pressure with a semilinear dispersive equation for the gap width. We show the local-in-time existence of strict solutions for the system, by combining elliptic regularity results for the elliptic equation, Lipschitz continuous dependence of its solution on that of the dispersive equation, and then local-in-time existence for a resulting abstract dispersive problem. Semigroup approaches are key to solve the abstract dispersive problem.

math.AP↗

arXiv2022

Quenching for a semi-linear wave equation for MEMS

We consider the formation of finite-time quenching singularities for solutions of semi-linear wave equations with negative power nonlinearities, as can model micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). For radial initial data we obtain, formally, the existence of a sequence of quenching self-similar solutions. Also from formal asymptotic analysis, a solution to the PDE which is radially symmetric and increases strictly monotonically with distance from the origin quenches at the origin like an explicit spatially independent solution. The latter analysis and numerical experiments suggest a detailed conjecture for the singular behaviour.

math.AP↗

arXiv2015

A Mathematical Model for Flash Sintering

A mathematical model is presented for the Joule heating that occurs in a ceramic powder compact during the process of flash sintering. The ceramic is assumed to have an electrical conductivity that increases with temperature, and this leads to the possibility of runaway heating that could facilitate and explain the rapid sintering seen in experiments. We consider reduced models that are sufficiently simple to enable concrete conclusions to be drawn about the mathematical nature of their solutions. In particular we discuss how different local and non-local reaction terms, which arise from specified experimental conditions of fixed voltage and current, lead to thermal runaway or to stable conditions. We identify incipient thermal runaway as a necessary condition for the flash event, and hence identify the conditions under which this is likely to occur.

math.AP↗

arXiv2015

Mathematical Modelling of Tyndall Star Initiation

The superheating that usually occurs when a solid is melted by volumetric heating can produce irregular solid-liquid interfaces. Such interfaces can be visualised in ice, where they are sometimes known as Tyndall stars. This paper describes some of the experimental observations of Tyndall stars and a mathematical model for the early stages of their evolution. The modelling is complicated by the strong crystalline anisotropy, which results in an anisotropic kinetic undercooling at the interface; it leads to an interesting class of free boundary problems that treat the melt region as infinitesimally thin.

physics.flu-dyn↗