Continuum-Based Modeling of the Mechanical Behavior of Nanocomposites via Microstructure and Elasticity Theory for Solid Surfaces

在过去的几十年里，复合材料的使用彻底改变了工业的面貌。这可以归因于这样一个事实，即复合材料是由具有不同性能的不同材料制成的，它们可以专门设计用于关键制造目标，包括增强机械性能，环境抗性和节能。以同样的方式，纳米复合材料正在改变复合材料的世界，允许开发具有增强功能和扩展应用范围的新一代复合材料，从生物医学应用到增强结构材料，电子封装和环境保护。纳米复合材料是一种复合材料，其结构具有纳米级尺寸（小于百万分之一米），例如纳米颗粒或纳米纤维，嵌入金属、陶瓷或聚合物基体中。这种组合在纳米复合材料的各个组成部分之间产生协同作用，从而产生惊人的机械性能。例如，如果在传统的聚合物材料中嵌入不到1%（按重量计）的纳米颗粒，就有可能设计出一种新的透明、柔韧、导电的聚合物。以同样的方式，我们可以设计出新的多功能聚合物基纳米复合材料，其耐久性提高（耐磨性提高100倍），韧性和强度提高，热稳定性提高。在数十亿美元的软包装工业中，聚合物纳米复合材料技术正被用于提高包装性能和解决包装浪费问题。

Over the last few decades, the use of composite materials has revolutionized the face of industry. This can be attributed to the fact that since composites are made from different materials with distinct properties, they can be specifically designed for key manufacturing objectives including enhanced mechanical performance, environmental resistance and energy conservation. In the same way, nanocomposites are now transforming the world of composite materials allowing for the development of a new generation of composites with enhanced functionality and extended application ranging from biomedical applications to the enhancement of structural materials, electronic packaging and environmental protection. Nanocomposites are composite materials in which structures with nanoscale dimensions (smaller than a millionth of a meter), for example, nanoparticles or nanofibers, are embedded in a metal, ceramic or polymer base. This combination generates a synergy between the various constituent parts of the nanocomposite which leads to amazing mechanical properties. For example, if less than 1% (by weight) of nanoparticles is embedded in a traditional polymeric material, it becomes possible to design a new transparent, flexible, electrical conducting polymer. In the same way, we can design new multifunctional polymer-matrix nanocomposites with increased durability (100 times improved wear resistance), increased toughness and strength and increased thermal stability. In the multi-billion dollar flexible packaging industry, polymer nanocomposite technology is being used to enhance package performance and to address packaging waste. Advances in composites engineering have always relied on mathematical models which are used at low cost to predict material behavior under certain mechanical and environmental conditions. These models are traditionally based on a particular simplifying assumption that the fine or micro- structure of the material can be ignored. Experiments have shown that this works well when we never have to consider material behavior at dimensions close to those of the material's fine structure. Unfortunately, this is not the case for nanocomposites where the length scales involved are so small that they make traditional mathematical models obsolete. My research program focuses on the modeling of nanocomposite materials by developing new mathematical models that can accommodate the fine structure of materials and hence the corresponding material behavior at the nanoscale. This will greatly enhance our ability to design and develop new nanocomposites. This grant will allow for the training of at least two PhD and three MSc students in this exciting and challenging multidisciplinary area. The findings of the research will be beneficial to a range of Canadian advanced technology companies in advanced construction materials, electronics and information technology.