Graphene Nanomechanics: The Role of Van der Waals Forces

该奖项的研究目标是了解受范德华力影响的石墨烯纳米结构的力学行为。作为一个单一的悬浮原子层，石墨烯片是可以想象到的最薄的物体之一。悬浮单层石墨烯是已知最坚硬、最坚固的材料之一。虽然这些特性有很多吸引人的原因，但石墨烯的力学行为主要受范德华力的影响。这将石墨烯和许多纳米机械结构置于一个尚未被很好理解甚至研究的状态。研究方法包括一个紧密耦合的实验-理论研究计划。它涉及一个新的实验平台，将有助于表征单层和多层石墨烯的纳米力学行为的许多方面，包括弹性性能，附着力，以及几到100纳米范围内范德华力对动力学行为的影响。交付成果包括一个新的实验平台，分析和数值建模和仿真方法，研究结果的文档，工程学生教育以及对K-12学生的影响。这个研究项目的结果将揭示纳米机械结构行为的各个方面，这些结构生活在一个范德华力永远存在的世界里，随着结构变得越来越小，范德华力的影响变得越来越强。它将广泛影响石墨烯的广泛应用，包括纳米力学、微电子、能源和生物医学应用。研究发现与正在进行的和新的教育活动的结合将使各个层次的学生（K-12，本科生和研究生，包括典型的代表性不足的群体的学生）接触到纳米技术的兴奋，特别是纳米结构力学的迷人世界。

The research objective of this award is to understand the mechanical behavior of graphene nanostrucutures as influenced by van der Waals forces. As a single suspended layer of atoms, graphene sheets are among the thinnest objects imaginable. A suspended single layer of graphene is one of the stiffest and strongest known materials. While these attributes are attractive for many reasons, the mechanical behavior of graphene is dominated by the influence of van der Waals forces. This situates graphene, and many nanomechanical structures in general, in a regime that is not yet well understood or even studied. The research approach consists of a tightly-coupled experimental-theoretical research program. It involves a novel experimental platform that will facilitate the characterization of numerous aspects of the nanomechanical behavior of single and multilayer graphene, including elastic properties, adhesion, and the influence of van der Waals forces in the range of a few to 100s of nm on dynamical behavior. Deliverables include a new experimental platform, analytical and numerical modeling and simulation approaches, documentation of research results, engineering student education, and impact on K-12 students.The results of this research program will uncover aspects of the behavior of nanomechanical structures that live in a world where van der Waals forces are ever-present, and as structures become smaller the influence of van der Waals forces become stronger. It will broadly impact a wide range of applications where graphene is intensely being pursued for technological insertion, including nanomechanics, microelectronics, energy, and biomedical applications. The coupling of research discoveries with ongoing and new educational activities will expose students at all levels (K-12, undergraduate, and graduate, including students from typically underrepresented groups) to the excitement of nanotechnology in general and the fascinating world of the mechanics of nanostructures in particular.