Investigation of graphene as a material for electrical contacts in the application of microrelays using finite element modeling

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of Graphene (Gr) as an electrical contact material for the application of microrelays. Gr is an ideal material for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). A microrelay has been considered and electrothermal analysis is carried out based on Finite Element Modeling (FEM) using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation tool. Electrical contact surfaces for the material Al, Cu, Ag and Gr have been analyzed. The electrical contact resistance, voltage drop, current density, resistive losses and temperature of the contact interface has been obtained. The results obtained have been verified using theoretical calculations. Also, the combustion voltage of Gr electrical contact has been obtained as 0.2 V at which the Gr reaches its combustion temperature of 623 K. The results show that Gr electrical contact performs better in terms of electrical and thermal performance parameters which would be used in future electrical components.