Diss. ETH No. 18159 Electrostatic Modification of the Bending Stiffness of Adaptive Structures A dissertation submitted to the SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ZURICH for the degree of Doctor of Sciences ETH Zurich presented by ANDREA BERGAMINI Dipl. Werkstoff-Ing. ETH born 16 April 1969 citizen of Milan - Italy accepted on the recommendation of Prof. Dr. P. Ermanni, examiner Prof. Dr. L. Schlapbach, co-examiner Prof. Dr. M. Motavalli, co-examiner 2009 EMPA20090443