VDM Verlag Nanomechanics: An extension of continuum mechanics to the nanoscale

This book presents a new theory extending continuum mechanics to the nanoscale and its applications. In the context of continuum mechanics, nanoscale problems always involve the immediate neighborhood of a phase interface or the immediate neighborhood of a three-phase line of contact or common line. The theory should be viewed as a top-down hybrid multiscale approach. One should not be surprised with doubts on the possibility of solving nanoscale problems with continuum mechanics because their scales fall far beyond the frames of continuum mechanics. The confidence comes from the incorporation of many-body intermolecular potentials which is based upon quantuum mechanics and a long history of important developments beginning with Hamaker (1937). Following the presentation of the theory, several applications have been shown. As careful readers will notice, major results have been compared well with existing experimental data without adjustable parameters.