Optimal design of the magnetic microactuator using the genetic algorithm

This paper presents the,optimal design of the magnetic microactuator using the genetic algorithm. The magnetic microactuator is composed of an enclosed core and a permalloy plate to form a closed magnetic circuit. The present design allows the area of the magnetic poles to be optimally enlarged and achieve a maximum force generation. To obtain the optimal geometry and maximum force, the genetic algorithm (GA) which is a robust, stochastic search method modeled on the concept of natural section and evolution is proposed. To increase the search efficiency of the GA, strategies like population-elitist scheme, fitness scaling, and operator probability adaptations are used. The simulation results indicated that a dramatically improvement in generating magnetic force, that has the potential to enhance the actuating aspect in MEMS applications. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.