The Woodruff School

SUMMARY

Nanotechnology offers great promise for the development of nanodevices. Hence it becomes extremely important to study the mechanical behavior of nanostructures for their use in such systems. MEMS (Micro ElectroMechanical Systems) provide an effective and precise method for testing nanostructures. Consequently this study focused on the development and use of a MEMS thermal nanotensile tester to investigate the mechanical behavior of one-dimensional nanostructures. Extensive characterization of these MEMS devices (structural, electrical and thermal behavior) was performed using experimental as well as finite element methods. Manipulation and clamping of the nanostructures on the MEMS device was achieved using a focused ion beam (FIB) equipped with a micromanipulator. The mechanical properties of nanocrystalline (nc) / ultrafine crystalline (ufc) Ni nanostructures (typical dimensions of 500nmx200nmx20,000nm) were also studied using the developed procedure.

SUBJECT:	M.S. Thesis Presentation

BY:	Bhaskar Pant

TIME:	Thursday, June 24, 2010, 3:00 p.m.

PLACE:	Love Building, 109

TITLE:	Experimental Nanomechanics of 1-D Nanostructures

COMMITTEE:	Dr. Olivier Pierron, Chair (ME) Dr. Ken Gall (MSE) Dr. Ting Zhu (ME)

SUMMARY Nanotechnology offers great promise for the development of nanodevices. Hence it becomes extremely important to study the mechanical behavior of nanostructures for their use in such systems. MEMS (Micro ElectroMechanical Systems) provide an effective and precise method for testing nanostructures. Consequently this study focused on the development and use of a MEMS thermal nanotensile tester to investigate the mechanical behavior of one-dimensional nanostructures. Extensive characterization of these MEMS devices (structural, electrical and thermal behavior) was performed using experimental as well as finite element methods. Manipulation and clamping of the nanostructures on the MEMS device was achieved using a focused ion beam (FIB) equipped with a micromanipulator. The mechanical properties of nanocrystalline (nc) / ultrafine crystalline (ufc) Ni nanostructures (typical dimensions of 500nmx200nmx20,000nm) were also studied using the developed procedure.