Nanomechanics: A Continuum Theory Based on the Interatomic Potential

Dr. Y. Huang will first summarize his research on (i) micromechanics of advanced materials; (ii) mechanics of stretchable electronics; and (iii) nanomechanics and multiscale simulation.

He will then focus on the nanomechanics theory his team has developed.

It is commonly believed that continuum mechanics theories may not be applicable on the anometer scale due to the discrete nature of atoms.  Here, they have developed a nano-continuum theory based on the interatomic potential for nanostructured materials.  The interatomic potential is directly incorporated into the continuum theory through the constitutive models.  The nano-continuum theory is then applied to study the mechanical deformation of carbon nanotubes, including (1) the pre-deformation energy; (2) linear elastic modulus; (3) fracture nucleation; (4) defect nucleation; (5) electrical property change due to mechanical deformation; (6) binding energy between carbon nanotubes; (7) coefficient of thermal expansion; and (8) specific heat.  The nano-continuum theory agrees very well with the atomistic models without any parameter fitting, and therefore has the potential to be applied to complex nanoscale material systems (e.g., nanocomposites) and devices (e.g., nanoelectronics).