Jianlin Liu

Abstract:

The fields of nanotechnology and nanoscience are full of chances and challenges. How to modify the classical continuum mechanics to face out the dramatically novel characteristics and phenomena on mechanical response of nano-materials/structures becomes an ambitious goal pursued by mechanics researchers. The theory of surface elasticity built by Gurtin and Murdoch has been developed to be an important number in theory family of nanomechanics. In this talk, we present an overview of recent advances in application of surface elasticity theory at nanoscale. In particular, we focus on the elastic and plastic deformation, vibration and buckling, fracture and contact behavior of nanoscale solids from one-dimension to three-dimension. We hope this review can provide valuable insight into nanomechanics analysis method with taking surface effect into account, and that the available results in review may lightly bridge the gap between the expression of conventional mechanics and findings of simulation and experiment, after which the practical utilization of nanotechnology in such areas as multifunctional materials and MEMS (Mirco-Electro-Mechanical-System) can be propelled.