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。作为单个悬浮的原子层，石墨烯薄片是可以想象到的最薄的物体之一。悬浮的单层石墨烯是已知的最坚硬和最坚固的材料之一。虽然这些属性有许多吸引人的原因，但石墨烯的机械行为受到范德华力的影响。这存在于石墨烯和许多纳米机械结构中，处于一种尚未被很好理解甚至研究的状态。研究方法由实验与理论紧密结合的研究程序组成。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，包括弹性性质、附着力，以及几到100s纳米范围内的范德华力对动力学行为的影响。成果包括新的实验平台、分析和数值建模和模拟方法、研究结果文档、工程学生教育以及对K-12学生的影响。该研究计划的结果将揭示生活在范德华力始终存在的世界中的纳米机械结构的行为的各个方面，随着结构变得更小，范德华力的影响变得更强。它将广泛影响石墨烯在技术插入方面的广泛应用，包括纳米机械、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相结合，将使所有级别的学生(K-12、本科生和研究生，包括来自典型代表不足的群体的学生)总体上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.