Graphene Nanomechanics: The Role of Van der Waals Forces

该奖项的研究目标是了解石墨烯纳米结构受货车范德华力影响的力学行为。 作为一个单一的原子悬浮层，石墨烯片是可以想象的最薄的物体之一。悬浮的单层石墨烯是已知最坚硬、最坚固的材料之一。 虽然这些属性由于许多原因而具有吸引力，但是石墨烯的机械行为受货车德瓦尔斯力的影响支配。 这使得石墨烯和许多纳米机械结构处于一种尚未被很好理解甚至研究的状态。 该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，将有利于表征单和多层石墨烯的纳米力学行为的许多方面，包括弹性性能，粘附力，以及货车范德华力在几到100纳米范围内对动力学行为的影响。 该研究项目的成果将揭示纳米机械结构的行为方面，这些纳米机械结构生活在一个货车德瓦尔斯力永远存在的世界中，结构越小，货车范德华力的影响越大。 它将广泛地影响石墨烯被强烈追求技术插入的广泛应用，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的耦合将使各级学生（K-12，本科生和研究生，包括来自典型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.