ENT630: Fundamentals of Nanomechanics
| School | Cardiff School of Engineering |
| Department Code | ENGIN |
| Module Code | ENT630 |
| External Subject Code | 101234 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L7 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Feodor Borodich |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2025/6 |
Outline Description of Module
- To provide students with a basic understanding and working knowledge of the exciting new field of Nanotechnology. The module will introduce students to the application of mechanics to nanotechnology and its use for solving engineering problems.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- Understand the mechanical and engineering properties of micro/nanoscale systems.
- Appreciate how nanotechnology can be used to address multi-disciplinary engineering problems.
- Understand the mechanical aspects of devices used in nanotechnology and the behaviour of nanoscale sensors, mechanical and electrical systems & novel materials.
How the module will be delivered
The module will be delivered through a blend of online teaching and learning material, guided study, and on-campus face-to-face classes (tutorials, feedback sessions). These are used to explain the fundamentals of nanomechanics and to develop the students’ understanding of the topic and its relevance to Engineering Problems.
Students are expected to undertake all the tutorial sheets issued throughout the module in preparation for the examination and to broaden their understanding of engineering problems. Successful completion of all the tutorial sheets will help the students towards meeting the learning outcomes.
Skills that will be practised and developed
- Appreciate and be able to apply mechanical, molecular and atomic models to nanoscale problems.
- Understand the principles of atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning force microscopy (SFM) and related methods.
- Know the properties of nanostructured materials and how they can be fabricated.
- Understand what nanotubes are and how they can be fabricated and used.
- Apply the theory of mechanical vibrations and eigenfrequencies to cantilevers and their applications.
- Appreciate the application of nanomechanics to the development of composite materials.
- Understand the mechanics of adhesion.
How the module will be assessed
The module is assessed through a 2-hour examination scheduled during the Spring Semester Examination Period. The module pass mark is 50%.
There is a potential for re-assessment in this module which may result in a 100% written assessment during the August Resit period.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Spring Semester | 100 | Fundamentals Of Nanomechanics | 2 |
Syllabus content
1. Introduction. Measures. Scales. Forces. The Lennard-Jones potential. Elasticity. Models of molecules and atoms. Mechanical models. Mass-spring model.
2. Stress, strain, Hooke’s law. Principles of atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning Force Microscopy (SFM) and related methods. Theory of bending. Bending of an AFM cantilever.
3. Nanostructured materials. Carbon based materials: graphite and diamond, and nanostructured materials: a:C (DLC, DLC:H). Fabrication techniques of a:C. a:C films as solid lubricants.
4. Nanoindentation. BASh formula for elastic modulus of nanofilms. Fullerenes and nanotubes. Fabrication techniques.
5. Modulus and strength of carbon nanotubes. Estimations from spring-mass models.
6. Weight measurements using vibrational properties of AFM cantilevers.
7. Surface energy and surface forces.
8. Mechanics of composite materials. Composite materials of superior strength. Epoxide–carbon nanotube composites.
9. Sticky world: van der Waals forces. Adhesion. Mechanics of adhesive contact. JKR and DMT approaches and their development. Roughness and its influence on adherence of solids.
10. Environmental effects on friction of micro/nano devices.