Deflection of microcantilever by growing vapor bubble

This work investigates the mechanics of microcantilever deflection due to growth of a vapor microbubble. We construct a theoretical model to predict the elastic beam deflection due to the capillary pressure developed by the bubble growing between the beam and a substrate. The theory is in good agreement with our experimental results in both macro- and micro-scales. The deflection of a thin-solid structure due to growing bubbles can be used in such micromachines as microactuators, microgenerators and micropumps, which are operated as immersed in liquid.