Nanomechanics

Call for Papers

Ever since the invention of scanning tunneling microscope and atomic force microscope, nanotechnology has started another industrial revolution. Nanotechnology is the creation of new materials, devices, and systems at the molecular level. Phenomena associated with atomic and molecular interactions strongly influence macroscopic material properties, and potentially introduce significantly improved mechanical, optical, chemical, and electrical properties. In modern economy, the transcendent technologies include nanotechnology, microelectronics, information technology, and biotechnology as well as the enabling mechanical and civil infrastructure systems and materials. Mechanics and materials are essential elements in all of the transcendent technologies.

Nanomechanics is a branch of nanoscience studying fundamental mechanical properties of physical systems at the nanometer scale. One of the unique aspects of nanomechanics is its interdisciplinary nature, spanning fundamental physics and chemistry, to the engineering and design of materials. Nanomechanics has emerged on the cross-road of classical mechanics, solid-state physics, statistical mechanics, materials science, and quantum chemistry. As an area of nanoscience, nanomechanics provides a scientific foundation for nanotechnology.

This special issue of Journal of Nanomaterials will be fully dedicated to nanomechanics. This issue openly calls for new contributions in the field of nanomechanics. It welcomes contributions related to the fundamental theoretical understanding, as well as experimental studies and technological applications of nanomechanics.

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

  • Mechanical properties and behaviors of nanocomposite, nanowire, and nanotube
  • Plastic deformation and fracture of nanocrystalline metals
  • Size effect, surface effect, and quantum effect at the nanoscale
  • Multiscale simulations bridging spatial and temporal scales
  • Nanotechnologies involving biology, such as molecular biomimetics, protein sidechain dynamics, bio-MEMS, biocomposite
  • Contact and adhesion mechanics at the nanoscale including nanowear and nanotribology
  • Mechanics of nanodevices, such as microcantilever resonator and sensor
  • Computational simulation, experimental aspects, and engineering applications

Authors should follow the Journal of Nanomaterials manuscript format described at the journal site http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnm/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/, according to the following timetable:

Manuscript DueDecember 1, 2008
First Round of ReviewsFebruary 1, 2009
Publication DateMay 1, 2009

Guest Editors

  • Bohua Sun, Faculty of Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 1906, Bellville, 7535 City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  • X. M. Henry Huang, Senior Device Research Engineer Nantero, Inc., 25-E Olympia Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801, USA
  • Quanshui Zheng, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Qingping Sun, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
  • Yapu Zhao, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China