Nano-scale mechanics of nanotubes, nanowires, and nanobelts

One-dimensional (1D) nanostructures have numerous potential applications in science and engineering. Nanocomposites made of nanowires, such as carbon nanotubes, are likely to decrease material's density and increase its stren gth,([1]) which are of critical importance to space technology. To investig ate the uniqueness offered by these materials, new techniques must be devel oped to quantitatively measure the properties of individual wire-like struc tures whose structures are well characterized by electron microscopy techni ques, because their properties may sensitively depend on their geometrical shape/configurations and crystal as well as surface structures. Within the framework of in-situ TEM we have recently developed a novel approach that r elies on electric field induced mechanical resonance for measuring the prop erties of individual wire-like structures, such as Young's modulus, electro n field emission, tip work function, and electrical quantum conductance. Th is is a new technique that provides the properties of a single nanowire wit h well characterized.