Nanomechanics of Nanomaterial Surfaces and Interfaces
Material Measurement Laboratory, Materials Measurement Science Division
Please note: This Agency only participates in the February and August reviews.
At small length scales, forces associated with interactions between surfaces or across interfaces become comparable to those associated with bulk deformation: “Nanomechanics” is then characterized by the interplay between surface forces and body forces and such forces become quantized as the atomistic nature of the contacting surfaces is encountered, leading to even greater differences from the bulk. Such nanomechanical interactions are dominant in many advanced nanomaterials systems (e.g., between elements in nano- or micro-electromechanical systems, between nanoparticles and substrates in chemical sensors, and between recording heads and media in magnetic storage devices). Research in surface and interfacial nanomechanics has the goal of developing science and technology related to the measurement of near-surface mechanical phenomena in order to advance such nanomaterials systems. Special emphasis is placed on development of new nanomechanics techniques involving scanning probe microscopy, especially atomic force microscopy, in static, dynamic, normal, or lateral modes to measure surface forces and small-scale adhesion and friction.