A diverse group of theoretical scientists and engineers will investigate the mechanical behavior of nanoscale crystalline solids, biological materials, and combined solid-state--biological systems. Our strategy will be to develop broadly applicable theoretical and computational methods by examining three paradigmatic nanomechanics problems: friction in NEMS, the mechanics of biological materials, and the design and simulation of bio-functionalized NEMS devices . We will supplement these research and educational activities with an extensive outreach program, consisting of a summer school on nanomechanics and a public lecture series on nanoscale science and engineering.
What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? Traditional atomistic and continuum mechanics approaches have been unable to describe the mechanical properties of many nanoscale systems of interest. In our opinion, new theoretical and computational approaches are required that are genuinely multi-scale in nature.
What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity? The broader impacts are twofold: First, the education and training of students will be integrated with every aspect of our research program. Also, graduate students and postdocs would be the principal audience at the nanomechanics summer school. Second, the evening lecture series would be directly targeted to the general public, and would enhance public awareness of and appreciation of nanoscale science and engineering.
This NIRT proposal focuses on the NSE theme Multi-scale, Multi-phenomena Theory, Modeling and Simulation at the Nanoscale, and is funded by the CMS, DMS and DMR divisions of the NSF.
