Files
Abstract
For materials with nanoscale features control of mass, geometry, and size/scale result in significantly different mechanical behaviors for chemically identical materials. These three independent variables arise together in nanoporous materials and nanofibrous materials where the samples have density that is variable and lower than the theoretical maximum, a geometry that is defined by occupied space and void space, and most notably geometric features that are within the nanoscale. Observations of size-effects on the strength, toughness, and failure mode of nanoscale metals have been made and one pressing topic in nanomechanics is the continuation of experimental, computational, and theoretical investigations of size effects to piece together an encompassing theory. The following work is centered on the discussion around the role of size on a material's mechanical behavior with a focus on nanoporous materials and nanofibrous materials.