Mechanics of nano-objects

In nanoscience, one always has to question how the basic theories we use at
the macro- and meso- scales (continuum elasticity and plasticity, etc) apply
at the nanometre scale. Studying mechanical properties of nano-size objects
also challenges the experimental approaches: how to implement reproducible and
controllable mechanical loading? How to measure fields (displacement, stress,
strain, etc) with the required nano-resolution? Moreover nanoscience is often
tackling the limits of continuum theories and thus simulation is an
increasingly important tool to evaluate the different scale transitions needed
from atoms to nano-objects.

This book provides an updated view of the rapidly growing field of mechanical
properties of nano-objects like micropillars, nanowires, nano-particles, nano-
precipitates, nano-twins, MEMS, NEMS and structured surfaces, etc. It
addresses the theoretical and experimental issues that span the field of
mechanics at small dimensions: the fundamentals of continuum mechanics and the
mechanics of defects, a general state-of-the-art about modelling and
simulation and an overview of the size dependent mechanical properties of
nano-objects. Fascinating recent advances are shown in the evaluation of
displacement fields at the nano scale by X-ray diffraction and transmission
electron microscopy. Examples are given of systems where mastering mechanical
properties in small dimensions is key to control the final aimed property
(electrical, optical, mechanical, etc).