Topology optimization of bistable elastic structures - An application to logic gates

摘要

In this paper, bistable gates which can be used as building blocks in logic gates are designed using topology optimization. The gate simulation is based on finite strain kinematics and hyperelastic material response. The objective of the optimization is to maximize the stiffness of a gate in the stable configurations while ensuring an adequate energy and distance separations between them and constraining the peak stress and total mass. The optimization problem is solved using nonlinear programming and the adjoint method is used to efficiently calculate the sensitivities. Conventional techniques such as SIMP interpolation, PDE filtering and Heaviside thresholding are included in the formulation. The numerical examples suggest a number of possible gate designs. (C) 2021 TheAuthor(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.