Flexoelectricity, in which a dielectric material develops an electrical polarization response to mechanical strain, is important degree of freedom for designing actuators with simpler structure and higher performance. Its applications are usually limited the nanoscale, though, due phenomenon's inherent size dependence. This study presents $i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}v\phant...

Microvilli (stereocilia) projecting from the apex of hair cells in the inner ear are actively motile structures that feed energy into the vibration of the inner ear and enhance sensitivity to sound. The biophysical mechanism underlying the hair bundle motor is unknown. In this study, we examined a membrane flexoelectric origin for active movements in stereocilia and conclude that it is likely t...

Biological membranes are capacitors that can be charged by applying a field across the membrane. The charges on the capacitor exert a force on the membrane that leads to electrostriction, i.e. a thinning of the membrane. Since the force is quadratic in voltage, negative and positive voltage have an identical influence on the physics of symmetric membranes. However, this is not the case for a me...

In this paper, the governing equation of a piezoelectric semiconductor (PSC) is derived after consideration flexoelectricity and strain gradient effect. A one-dimensional first-order beam model obtained through integration across its section. Based on model, theoretical analysis carried out for cantilever PSC nanowire subjected to time-harmonic transverse shear force. The effects bending vibrat...