Refined elastic membrane models with new small-scale features

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Refined elastic membrane models with new small-scale features Exciting research challenges and opportunities have recently been raised in science and technology of small scale membrane materials including MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems)/NEMS (nano-electromechanical systems), bio-membranes, and atom-thick graphene monolayers. Here “membranes” are defined as thin film materials whose bending rigidity is low but yet plays an essential role in their mechanical behavior. The new research opportunities have stimulated a resurgence of research on mechanics of small-scale membrane materials. Although traditional solid mechanics models (such as elastic plate/membrane models) have been widely applied to study mechanical behavior of such small-scale elastic membranes, it is now widely recognized that traditional models cannot capture some key mechanics phenomena of such materials due to their new small-scale features of microstructures and forces. This has raised a major challenge to the solid mechanics community. Different than classical elastic membranes (such as metallic or rubber films), some small-scale elastic membranes and atom-thick monolayers are characterized by a few new features such as 1) two independent bending rigidities caused by non-continuum or inhomogeneous microstructure in thickness direction; 2) significant surface stress and surface elasticity effects; 3) extremely low bending rigidity and the associated large deflection and nonlinear curvature. Based on the present applicant’s research expertise on surface elasticity, elastic membranes, bio-membrane shells and graphene mechanics, the present proposal aims to develop new refined elastic models for small-scale membrane materials and atom-thick monolayer membranes, with particular interest in exploring the implications of the above-mentioned new small-scale features. The proposed research could improve our understanding and modeling of mechanical behavior of small-scale membrane materials and make a significant impact on the small-scale solid mechanics and its applications to micro/nano membrane materials of current and future technical importance. The proposal will contribute to building an influential Canadian research group in the key research areas, and to make a significant contribution to the training of a new generation of engineers in small-scale mechanical engineering, to meet the anticipated needs of Canada in the near future.