Positioning itself at the common boundaries of several disciplines, this work provides new perspectives on modern nanoscale problems where fundamental science meets technology and computer modeling. In addition to well-known computational techniques such as finite-difference schemes and Ewald summation, the book presents a new finite-difference calculus of Flexible Local Approximation Methods (FLAME) that qualitatively improves the numerical accuracy in a variety of problems.

Computer simulation is an indispensable research tool in modeling, understanding and predicting nanoscale phenomena. However, the advanced computer codes used by researchers are too complicated for graduate students wanting to understand computer simulations of physical systems. This book gives students the tools to develop their own codes. Describing advanced algorithms, the book is ideal for students in computational physics, quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular physics, and condensed matter theory. It contains a wide variety of practical examples of varying complexity to help readers at all levels of experience. An algorithm library in Fortran 90, available online at www.cambridge.org/9781107001701, implements the advanced computational approaches described in the text to solve physical problems.

Applications of nanotechnology continue to fuel significant innovations in areas ranging from electronics, microcomputing, and biotechnology to medicine, consumer supplies, aerospace, and energy production. As progress in nanoscale science and engineering leads to the continued development of advanced materials and new devices, improved methods of modeling and simulation are required to achieve a more robust quantitative understanding of matter at the nanoscale. Computational Nanotechnology: Modeling and Applications with MATLAB® provides expert insights into current and emerging methods, opportunities, and challenges associated with the computational techniques involved in nanoscale research. Written by, and for, those working in the interdisciplinary fields that comprise nanotechnology—including engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine—this book covers a broad spectrum of technical information, research ideas, and practical knowledge. It presents an introduction to computational methods in nanotechnology, including a closer look at the theory and modeling of two important nanoscale systems: molecular magnets and semiconductor quantum dots. Topics covered include: Modeling of nanoparticles and complex nano and MEMS systems Theory associated with micromagnetics Surface modeling of thin films Computational techniques used to validate hypotheses that may not be accessible through traditional experimentation Simulation methods for various nanotubes and modeling of carbon nanotube and silicon nanowire transistors In regard to applications of computational nanotechnology in biology, contributors describe tracking of nanoscale structures in cells, effects of various forces on cellular behavior, and use of protein-coated gold nanoparticles to better understand protein-associated nanomaterials. Emphasizing the importance of MATLAB for biological simulations in nanomedicine, this wide-ranging survey of computational nanotechnology concludes by discussing future directions in the field, highlighting the importance of the algorithms, modeling software, and computational tools in the development of efficient nanoscale systems.

Computational Finite Element Methods in Nanotechnology demonstrates the capabilities of finite element methods in nanotechnology for a range of fields. Bringing together contributions from researchers around the world, it covers key concepts as well as cutting-edge research and applications to inspire new developments and future interdisciplinary research. In particular, it emphasizes the importance of finite element methods (FEMs) for computational tools in the development of efficient nanoscale systems. The book explores a variety of topics, including: A novel FE-based thermo-electrical-mechanical-coupled model to study mechanical stress, temperature, and electric fields in nano- and microelectronics The integration of distributed element, lumped element, and system-level methods for the design, modeling, and simulation of nano- and micro-electromechanical systems (N/MEMS) Challenges in the simulation of nanorobotic systems and macro-dimensions The simulation of structures and processes such as dislocations, growth of epitaxial films, and precipitation Modeling of self-positioning nanostructures, nanocomposites, and carbon nanotubes and their composites Progress in using FEM to analyze the electric field formed in needleless electrospinning How molecular dynamic (MD) simulations can be integrated into the FEM Applications of finite element analysis in nanomaterials and systems used in medicine, dentistry, biotechnology, and other areas The book includes numerous examples and case studies, as well as recent applications of microscale and nanoscale modeling systems with FEMs using COMSOL Multiphysics® and MATLAB®. A one-stop reference for professionals, researchers, and students, this is also an accessible introduction to computational FEMs in nanotechnology for those new to the field.

Nanotechnology is a progressive research and development topic with large amounts of venture capital and government funding being invested worldwide. Nano mechanics, in particular, is the study and characterization of the mechanical behaviour of individual atoms, systems and structures in response to various types of forces and loading conditions. This text, written by respected researchers in the field, informs researchers and practitioners about the fundamental concepts in nano mechanics and materials, focusing on their modelling via multiple scale methods and techniques. The book systematically covers the theory behind multi-particle and nanoscale systems, introduces multiple scale methods, and finally looks at contemporary applications in nano-structured and bio-inspired materials.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-conference proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Finite Difference Methods, FDM 2014, held in Lozenetz, Bulgaria, in June 2014. The 36 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 62 submissions. These papers together with 12 invited papers cover topics such as finite difference and combined finite difference methods as well as finite element methods and their various applications in physics, chemistry, biology and finance.