Course content

Nanomechanics is the study and characterization of the mechanical behaviour of material systems and structures at nanoscale in response to various types of forces and loading conditions. It is an interdisciplinary field at the union of traditionally independent disciplines – mechanics, chemistry, mechanics and material science. This course focuses on the latest scientific developments and discoveries in the field of nanomechanics, the study of forces and motion on extremely tiny (10E-9m) areas of materials and structures. At this level, mechanical properties are intimately related to chemistry, physics, and quantum mechanics. Most lectures will consist of a theoretical component that will then be compared to recent experimental data (case studies) in the literature. The course begins with a series of introductory lectures that describes the normal and lateral forces acting at the atomic scale. The following discussions include atomistic aspects of adhesion, nanoindentation, size effect and deformation mechanisms of nano-crystalline materials, molecular details of fracture, design and characterization of interfaces, thin film mechanics, elasticity of single macromolecular chains, inter-molecular actions in polymers as well as coarse graining based multiscale modeling principals.

Learning outcome

Students will learn the new deformation mechanisms of the nanoscale materials, analyzing methods, modelling approaches as well as applications.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and experiments at NTNU Nanolab. Mandatory Exercises.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Continumm mechanics, Nanointro.

Course materials

Zhiliang Zhang, Jianying He, Shoiji Nagao, Lecture notes. Prof. Christine Ortiz, Nanomechanics of Materials and Biomaterials.