Mechanical Properties of Nanotubes: Elastic Moduli, Buckling and a Nanometer-Scale Switch

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9700677 Superfine This project will synthesize, characterize and model nanotubes to understand their mechanical properties as they relate to nanometer scale mechanical devices and as components of composite materials. The elastic moduli will be measured using Atomic Force Microscopy to determine stress/strain relationships. Particular attention will be paid to the failure modes of the tubes through the correlation of structural features and discontinuities in the determined moduli. These studies will be performed on carbon and substituted nanotubes, filled tubes, and will be compared with molecular dynamics calculations. The atomistic molecular dynamics simulations will be used to provide atomic scale insight into the forces which drive nanotube mechanical performance. The project will begin the incorporation of nanotubes into mechanical device structures beginning with the simplest MEMS structure, a cantilever switch. This will serve as a test bed for the interfacial effects which will play a critical role in the operation of a nanometer scale structure. Both the characterization of the nanotubes and the production of prototype devices will be made possible by a unique, advanced interface for AFM, the nanoManipulator, which permits facile manipulation while measuring the normal and lateral forces exerted on the object. ***