Small structures of the micro/nanometer scale, such as electronic/optic devices and MEMS/NEMS have been developed, and the size of their elements now approaches the nano/atomic scale. This book discuses the fracture behavior of nano/atomic elements (nanofilms, nanowires, and so on) and focuses on the initiation and propagation of interface crack and mechanical instability criterion of atomic structures. This covers the fundamentals and the applicability of the top-down (conventional fracture mechanics to nanoscale) and bottom-up (atomic mechanics including ab initio simulation) concepts. New areas, such as multiphysics characteristics of nanoelements, are introduced as well.

Materials of micro-/nanometer dimensions have aroused remarkable interest, motivated by the diverse utility of unconventional mechanical and electronic properties distinguished from the bulk counterpart and various industrial applications such as electronic/optic devices and MEMS/NEMS. The size of their elements is now, ultimately, approaching nano

Materials of micro-/nanometer dimensions have aroused remarkable interest, motivated by the diverse utility of unconventional mechanical and electronic properties distinguished from the bulk counterpart and various industrial applications such as electronic/optic devices and MEMS/NEMS. The size of their elements is now, ultimately, approaching nanometer and atomic scales. Since the conventional theory of "fracture mechanics" is based on the continuum-body approximation, its applicability to the nanoscale components is questionable owing to the discreteness of atoms. Moreover, for describing the fracture behavior of atomic components, it is necessary to understand not only the mechanical parameters (e.g., stress and strain) but also the fracture criterion in the atomic scale. This book systematically provides recent understanding of unusual fracture behaviors in nano/atomic elements (nanofilms, nanowires, etc.) and focuses on the critical initiation and propagation of interface crack and the mechanical instability criteria of atomic structures through the introduction of state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical techniques. It covers the fundamentals and the applicability of top-down (conventional fracture mechanics to nanoscale) and bottom-up (atomistic mechanics, including quantum mechanical effects) concepts. This second edition of Fracture Nanomechanics newly includes dramatic advances in unconventional fracture mechanics in nanofilms, extraordinary fatigue mechanics and mechanisms in nanometals, and a new area of multiphysics properties in nanoelements.

The 16th European Conference of Fracture (ECF16) was held in Greece, July, 2006. It focused on all aspects of structural integrity with the objective of improving the safety and performance of engineering structures, components, systems and their associated materials. Emphasis was given to the failure of nanostructured materials and nanostructures including micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS).

Small structures of the micro/nanometer scale, such as electronic/optic devices and MEMS/NEMS have been developed, and the size of their elements now approaches the nano/atomic scale. This book discuses the fracture behavior of nano/atomic elements (nanofilms, nanowires, and so on) and focuses on the initiation and propagation of interface crack and mechanical instability criterion of atomic structures. This covers the fundamentals and the applicability of the top-down (conventional fracture mechanics to nanoscale) and bottom-up (atomic mechanics including ab initio simulation) concepts. New areas, such as multiphysics characteristics of nanoelements, are introduced as well.

Contains the latest research advances in computational nanomechanics in one comprehensive volume Covers computational tools used to simulate and analyse nanostructures Includes contributions from leading researchers Covers of new methodologies/tools applied to computational nanomechanics whilst also giving readers the new findings on carbon-based aggregates (graphene, carbon-nanotubes, nanocomposites) Evaluates the impact of nanoscale phenomena in materials