Skip to main content
European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
CORDIS Web 30th anniversary CORDIS Web 30th anniversary
Content archived on 2024-06-18

Probing the Micro-Nano Transition: Theoretical and Experimental Foundations, Simulations and Applications

Objective

The objective is to develop a robust multifunctional framework/probe for capturing the evolution of deformation and failure in a variety of processes at the micro-nano transition regime. An interdisciplinary approach will be pursued based on fundamental theory and experiment, in conjunction with multiscale simulations for micro/nanotechnology applications. The approach is unconventional as it ventures to extend continuum mechanics down to the micro/nano regime and verify this through nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy techniques. It is also unique as the new phenomenology introduced for establishing this extension (higher order gradients accounting for microscopic processes and interfacial energy terms accounting for nanoscopic phenomena) will be substantiated through hybrid (ab initio-atomistic-defect-finite element) simulations. The framework will be employed to consider fracture and size effects in a number of micro-nano scale transition configurations ranging from nanograined aggregates and nanolayered structures to nanotubes and micropillars, and from Li-ion battery electrodes to bioactive interfaces. Other micro/nano objects such as quantum dots, nanowires and NEMS/MEMS devices, as well as biomolecular microcrystalline membranes leading to living cell division will be considered. In a sense this “scale” transition theory is reminiscent in scope to Landau’s “phase” transition theory where a variety of different physical phenomena can be treated within a common framework. This optimism stems from the PI’s previous success with this approach, as well as Smalley’s remark that the “laws of continuum mechanics are amazingly robust for treating even intrinsically discrete objects only a few atoms in diameter”. A good mix of young researchers and mature scholars will be employed, thus connecting people and ideas through joint publications and scholarly activities in a critical area of fundamental and applied research.

Call for proposal

ERC-2007-StG
See other projects for this call

Host institution

ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
EU contribution
€ 922 286,70
Address
KEDEA BUILDING, TRITIS SEPTEMVRIOU, ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
546 36 THESSALONIKI
Greece

See on map

Region
Βόρεια Ελλάδα Κεντρική Μακεδονία Θεσσαλονίκη
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Principal investigator
Aikaterini Aifanti (Dr.)
Administrative Contact
Georgia Petridou (Ms.)
Links
Total cost
No data

Beneficiaries (3)