Events EMMC20Conference SymposiaS13: Nanomechanics: experiments and modelling

S13: Nanomechanics: experiments and modelling

 

 Nicola Pugno, University of Trento, Italy, email

Ruth Schwaiger, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany, email

 

Symposium description

Nanomechanical testing and modelling methods have become indispensable tools for characterizing the mechanical behavior of materials and structures. In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion of testing and modelling strategies to probe elastic, plastic, and fracture properties at small scales, with precise control over loading modes, strain rates, temperature, and environmental conditions. These advances include in situ and operando as well as "in silico" testing techniques that allow for real-time observation of deformation and damage mechanisms.

Additionally, high-throughput mechanical testing and modelling approaches are gaining momentum, enabling rapid screening of material properties and accelerating the development of new materials. These methods are increasingly coupling experiments and data-driven and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for efficient analysis and discovery.

This symposium aims to bring together researchers applying interdisciplinary approaches in nanomechanics to deepen our understanding of small-scale mechanical behavior in structural, functional, and biological materials. Contributions that integrate experimental, computational, and theoretical perspectives are particularly encouraged.

Areas of interest include:

• Mechanical testing and modelling of nanostructures, thin films, coatings, and hierarchical materials: application of nanoindentation, microbending, micropillar compression, and related small-scale testing techniques
• Mechanochemistry and stress-assisted phase transformations: Exploring chemical reactions and phase changes triggered by mechanical stress at small scales.
• 3D nanomechanical testing and tomography, and modelling: Combining mechanical tests with 3D reconstruction (e.g., via FIB-SEM or X-ray nanotomography).
• Mechanics of soft materials and hydrogels at small scales: Including biological tissues, flexible electronics, and bio-inspired materials.
• Micro- and nano-mechanical fatigue and time-dependent behavior (creep, relaxation): Addressing long-term performance and reliability at the micro/nanoscale.
• Additive manufacturing and microstructure–property relationships: Focusing on small-scale testing of 3D printed and architected materials.
• Operando mechanical testing of energy materials and devices: Including battery electrodes, solid electrolytes, and fuel cells under working conditions.
• Advanced analysis of nanomechanical experiments and modelling: Application of machine learning, digital image correlation and related techniques