The Mechanical Properties of Nanowires

Scalable Integration of High Sensitivity Strain Sensors Based on Silicon Nanowire Spring Array Directly Grown on Flexible Polyimide Films

The growth and integration of position-controlled, morphology-programmable silicon nanowires (SiNWs), directly upon low-cost polymer substrates instead of postgrowth transferring, is attractive for developing advanced flexible sensors and logics. In this work, a low temperature growth of SiNWs at only 200 °C has been demonstrated, for the first time, upon flexible polyimide (PI) films, via a planar solid-liquid-solid (IPSLS) growth mechanism. The SiNWs with diameter of ∼146 nm can be grown into precise locations on PI as orderly array and with preferred elastic geometry. Strain sensor array, built upon these spring-shape SiNWs integrated on PI, achieves a gauge factor (GF) of ∼90, sustains large stretching strains up to 3.3% (with 1.5 mm radius) and endures over 30,000 cycles. Strain sensors attached to the finger to monitor movements are also successfully demonstrated, showing high sensitivity and superior mechanical reliability, particularly suited for wearable health applications.

Impact of B and P Doping on the Elastic Properties of Si Nanowires

Using gradient-corrected density functional theory we investigate the mechanical properties of ultrathin boron (B) and phosphorus (P) doped silicon nanowires (SiNWs) along the [001] and [111] orientations within the PBE approximation. Both pristine and doped SiNWs under study have diameters ranging from 5 to 8 Å. Our results show that doping significantly enhances the bulk modulus (B0), shear modulus (GV), Young's modulus (Y), and other mechanical parameters. The significant anisotropy observed in the mechanical properties of Si[111] NWs, with varying moduli along different axes, further illustrates the complex interplay between mechanical behavior and electronic structure at the nanoscale. The mechanical flexibility of SiNWs, combined with their tunable electronic properties due to quantum confinement, makes them promising candidates for advanced nanoelectronic devices, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), and advanced technologies.

Polycaprolactone/polylactic acid nanofibers incorporated with butyl hydroxyanisole /HP-β-CD assemblies for improving fruit storage quality

In this study, the inclusion complex was prepared with butyl hydroxyanisole (BHA) as the functional substance and 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) as the main molecule by ultrasound mediation. The inclusion complex was mixed with polycaprolactone (PCL)/polylactic acid (PLA), and nanofiber films loaded with different concentrations of BHA/HP-β-CD inclusion complex were prepared by electrospinning for fruit preservation. The scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy characterization results showed that HP-β-CD successfully embedded BHA in the cavity. The encapsulation of BHA increases the fiber diameter and thermal stability and decreases the crystallinity and hydrophobicity. The oxidation resistance experiment showed that the nanofiber film had a strong free radical scavenging ability. The BHA release rate of the nanofiber membrane was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the release curve results showed that the inclusion complex prepared by ultrasonic self-assembly could significantly prolong the BHA release time. In addition, nanofiber films containing inclusion complex showed an effective fresh-keeping effect within 7 days of mango storage. In conclusion, a series of characterization tests show that the nanofiber film prepared in this study has a good market prospect in food preservation.

Recent Advances in 1D Nanostructure Assembly and Direct Integration Methods for Device Applications

In recent years, 1D nanostructure-based devices have achieved widespread usage in various fields, such as sensors, energy harvesters, transistors, and electrodes owing to their exceptional and distinct properties. The pioneering work of Dr. R. S. Wagner at Bell Laboratories in 1964 introduced the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process, a powerful synthesis method. Since then, numerous synthesis techniques, including sol-gel, hydrothermal, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), and more, have been developed. These methods have enabled researchers to effectively control the shape (length and diameter) and material properties of nanowires. However, it was only about two decades ago that nanowires started to be widely utilized as key components in functional devices, primarily due to the lack of proper integration methods. Although dozens of integration techniques have been developed, none have emerged as a predominant choice, with each method presenting its own set of advantages and limitations. Therefore, this work aims to categorize these methods based on their working principles and provide a comprehensive summary of their pros and cons. Additionally, state-of-the-art devices that capitalize on the integration of 1D nanomaterials are introduced.

Laser-Induced Self-Limiting Welding of Ag Nanowires with High Mechanical and Electrical Performance

The high-efficiency and high-precision welding technology of Ag nanowires is of great engineering significance for the integration of new-generation micro- and nanodevices, and the mechanical behavior of its interconnect joints is also essential for their reliable application, especially for some flexible device. In this paper, based on the nano-focusing and localized plasma enhancement properties of Ag nanowires under laser irradiation, Ag nanowire self-limiting joints with mechanical and electrical properties comparable to those of the base material are obtained. At the same time, the local plasma enhancement characteristics of Ag nanowire joints are scanned and analyzed with nanoscale resolution by using cathodoluminescence technology, and the local multi-physical field coupling regulation mechanism of Ag nanowire joints induced by different laser parameters is systematically investigated by combining theoretical simulations. Meanwhile, based on the in situ laser welding and nanomechanical tensile experiments, the mechanical properties of single Ag nanowires and their welded joints are systematically analyzed, and the characteristics of the interfacial atomic behaviors and the evolution process during the welding and tensile processes are investigated.

Atomic force microscopy in mechanical measurements of single nanowires

In this paper, we present the results of mechanical measurement of single nanowires (NWs) in a repeatable manner. Substrates with specifically designed mechanical features were used for NW placement and localization for measurements of properties such as Young's modulus or tensile strength of NW with an atomic force microscopy (AFM) system. Dense arrays of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires were obtained by one-step anodic oxidation of metallic Zn foil in a sodium bicarbonate electrolyte and thermal post-treatment. ZnO NWs with a hexagonal wurtzite structure were fixed to the substrates using focused electron beam-induced deposition (FEBID) and were annealed at different temperatures in situ. We show a 10-fold change in the properties of annealed materials as well as a difference in the properties of the NW materials from their bulk values with pre-annealed Young modulus at the level of 20 GPa and annealed reaching 200 GPa. We found the newly developed method to be much more versatile, allowing for in situ operations of NWs, including measurements with different methods of scanning probe microscopy.

Growth of metal nanowire forests controlled through stress fields induced by grain gradients

Pure metal nanowires (NWs) are one-dimensional nanomaterials with distinctive properties for various applications. Nevertheless, mass-growth forests have not been developed because of vapor pressure limitations, chemical reduction problems, or both. We succeeded in the mass growth of aluminum (Al) NW forests at desired locations by controlling atomic diffusion within the solid film. Whereas prior attention has focused only on how to increase the driving force, we show that focused ion beam irradiation created localized regions of high stress, which provided pathways for atomic diffusion as well as nuclei and driving forces for vertical NW growth. The underlying growth process could in principle be extended to other metals.

Microporous Materials in Polymer Electrolytes: The Merit of Order

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have garnered significant attention in the critical field of sustainable energy storage due to their potential benefits in safety, energy density, and cycle life. The large-scale, cost-effective production of SSBs necessitates the development of high-performance solid-state electrolytes. However, the manufacturing of SSBs relies heavily on the advancement of suitable solid-state electrolytes. Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs), which combine the advantages of ordered microporous materials (OMMs) and polymer electrolytes, meet the requirements for high ionic conductivity/transference number, stability with respect to electrodes, compatibility with established manufacturing processes, and cost-effectiveness, making them particularly well-suited for mass production of SSBs. This review delineates how structural ordering dictates the fundamental physicochemical properties of OMMs, including ion transport, thermal transfer, and mechanical stability. The applications of prominent OMMs are critically examined, such as metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and zeolites, in CPEs, highlighting how structural ordering facilitates the fulfillment of property requirements. Finally, an outlook on the field is provided, exploring how the properties of CPEs can be enhanced through the dimensional design of OMMs, and the importance of uncovering the underlying "feature-function" mechanisms of various CPE types is underscored.

Synthesis and Mechanism of 1D ZnO Based on Alkaline Dissolution-Conversion Strategy of High Stable and Soluble ɛ-Zn(OH)2

A high soluble and stable ɛ-Zn(OH)2 precursor is synthesized at below room temperature to efficiently prepare ZnO whiskers. The experimental results indicate that the formation of ZnO whiskers is carried out mainly via two steps: the formation of ZnO seeds from ɛ-Zn(OH)2 via the in situ solid conversion, and the following growth of whiskers via dissolution-precipitation route. The decrease of temperature from 25 to 5 °C promotes the formation of ɛ-Zn(OH)2 with higher solubility and stability, which balances the conversion and dissolution rates of precursor. The Rietveld refinement, DFT calculations and MD simulations reveal that the primary reason for these characteristics is the expansion of ɛ-Zn(OH)2 lattice due to temperature, causing difficulties in the dehydration of adjacent ─OH. Simultaneously, the larger specific surface area favors the dissolution of ɛ-Zn(OH)2. Based on this precursor, well-dispersed ZnO whiskers with 9.82 µm in length, 242.38 nm in diameter, and an average aspect ratio of 41 are successfully synthesized through a SDSN-assisted hydrothermal process at 80 °C. The process has an extremely high solid content of 2.5% (mass ratio of ZnO to solution) and an overall yield of 92%, which offers a new approach for the scaled synthesis of high aspect ratio ZnO whiskers by liquid-phase method.

Elastic modulus of β-Ga2O3 nanowires measured by resonance and three-point bending techniques

Due to the recent interest in ultrawide bandgap β-Ga2O3 thin films and nanostructures for various electronics and UV device applications, it is important to understand the mechanical properties of Ga2O3 nanowires (NWs). In this work, we investigated the elastic modulus of individual β-Ga2O3 NWs using two distinct techniques - in-situ scanning electron microscopy resonance and three-point bending in atomic force microscopy. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesised NWs were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopies. The resonance tests yielded the mean elastic modulus of 34.5 GPa, while 75.8 GPa mean value was obtained via three-point bending. The measured elastic moduli values indicate the need for finely controllable β-Ga2O3 NW synthesis methods and detailed post-examination of their mechanical properties before considering their application in future nanoscale devices.

Nanowires: Exponential speedup in quantum computing

This review paper examines the crucial role of nanowires in the field of quantum computing, highlighting their importance as versatile platforms for qubits and vital building blocks for creating fault-tolerant and scalable quantum information processing systems. Researchers are studying many categories of nanowires, including semiconductor, superconducting, and topological nanowires, to explore their distinct quantum features that play a role in creating various qubit designs. The paper explores the interdisciplinary character of quantum computing, combining the fields of quantum physics and materials science. This text highlights the significance of quantum gate operations in manipulating qubits for computation, thus creating the toolbox of quantum algorithms. The paper emphasizes the key research areas in quantum technology, such as entanglement engineering, quantum error correction, and a wide range of applications spanning from encryption to climate change modeling. The research highlights the importance of tackling difficulties related to decoding mitigation, error correction, and hardware scalability to fully utilize the transformative potential of quantum computing in scientific, technical, and computational fields.

Remarkable flexibility in freestanding single-crystalline antiferroelectric PbZrO3 membranes

The ultrahigh flexibility and elasticity achieved in freestanding single-crystalline ferroelectric oxide membranes have attracted much attention recently. However, for antiferroelectric oxides, the flexibility limit and fundamental mechanism in their freestanding membranes are still not explored clearly. Here, we successfully fabricate freestanding single-crystalline PbZrO3 membranes by a water-soluble sacrificial layer technique. They exhibit good antiferroelectricity and have a commensurate/incommensurate modulated microstructure. Moreover, they also have good shape recoverability when bending with a small radius of curvature (about 2.4 μm for the thickness of 120 nm), corresponding to a bending strain of 2.5%. They could tolerate a maximum bending strain as large as 3.5%, far beyond their bulk counterpart. Our atomistic simulations reveal that this remarkable flexibility originates from the antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase transition with the aid of polarization rotation. This study not only suggests the mechanism of antiferroelectric oxides to achieve high flexibility but also paves the way for potential applications in flexible electronics.

A comprehensive review on the biomedical frontiers of nanowire applications

This comprehensive review examines the immense capacity of nanowires, nanostructures characterized by unbounded dimensions, to profoundly transform the field of biomedicine. Nanowires, which are created by combining several materials using techniques such as electrospinning and vapor deposition, possess distinct mechanical, optical, and electrical properties. As a result, they are well-suited for use in nanoscale electronic devices, drug delivery systems, chemical sensors, and other applications. The utilization of techniques such as the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) approach and template-assisted approaches enables the achievement of precision in synthesis. This precision allows for the customization of characteristics, which in turn enables the capability of intracellular sensing and accurate drug administration. Nanowires exhibit potential in biomedical imaging, neural interfacing, and tissue engineering, despite obstacles related to biocompatibility and scalable manufacturing. They possess multifunctional capabilities that have the potential to greatly influence the intersection of nanotechnology and healthcare. Surmounting present obstacles has the potential to unleash the complete capabilities of nanowires, leading to significant improvements in diagnostics, biosensing, regenerative medicine, and next-generation point-of-care medicines.

Machine-learned wearable sensors for real-time hand-motion recognition: toward practical applications

Soft electromechanical sensors have led to a new paradigm of electronic devices for novel motion-based wearable applications in our daily lives. However, the vast amount of random and unidentified signals generated by complex body motions has hindered the precise recognition and practical application of this technology. Recent advancements in artificial-intelligence technology have enabled significant strides in extracting features from massive and intricate data sets, thereby presenting a breakthrough in utilizing wearable sensors for practical applications. Beyond traditional machine-learning techniques for classifying simple gestures, advanced machine-learning algorithms have been developed to handle more complex and nuanced motion-based tasks with restricted training data sets. Machine-learning techniques have improved the ability to perceive, and thus machine-learned wearable soft sensors have enabled accurate and rapid human-gesture recognition, providing real-time feedback to users. This forms a crucial component of future wearable electronics, contributing to a robust human-machine interface. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary covering materials, structures and machine-learning algorithms for hand-gesture recognition and possible practical applications through machine-learned wearable electromechanical sensors.

High-Strength Amorphous Silicon Carbide for Nanomechanics

For decades, mechanical resonators with high sensitivity have been realized using thin-film materials under high tensile loads. Although there are remarkable strides in achieving low-dissipation mechanical sensors by utilizing high tensile stress, the performance of even the best strategy is limited by the tensile fracture strength of the resonator materials. In this study, a wafer-scale amorphous thin film is uncovered, which has the highest ultimate tensile strength ever measured for a nanostructured amorphous material. This silicon carbide (SiC) material exhibits an ultimate tensile strength of over 10 GPa, reaching the regime reserved for strong crystalline materials and approaching levels experimentally shown in graphene nanoribbons. Amorphous SiC strings with high aspect ratios are fabricated, with mechanical modes exceeding quality factors 108 at room temperature, the highest value achieves among SiC resonators. These performances are demonstrated faithfully after characterizing the mechanical properties of the thin film using the resonance behaviors of free-standing resonators. This robust thin-film material has significant potential for applications in nanomechanical sensors, solar cells, biological applications, space exploration, and other areas requiring strength and stability in dynamic environments. The findings of this study open up new possibilities for the use of amorphous thin-film materials in high-performance applications.

In Situ TEM Characterization and Modulation for Phase Engineering of Nanomaterials

Solid-state phase transformation is an intriguing phenomenon in crystalline or noncrystalline solids due to the distinct physical and chemical properties that can be obtained and modified by phase engineering. Compared to bulk solids, nanomaterials exhibit enhanced capability for phase engineering due to their small sizes and high surface-to-volume ratios, facilitating various emerging applications. To establish a comprehensive atomistic understanding of phase engineering, in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques have emerged as powerful tools, providing unprecedented atomic-resolution imaging, multiple characterization and stimulation mechanisms, and real-time integrations with various external fields. In this Review, we present a comprehensive overview of recent advances in in situ TEM studies to characterize and modulate nanomaterials for phase transformations under different stimuli, including mechanical, thermal, electrical, environmental, optical, and magnetic factors. We briefly introduce crystalline structures and polymorphism and then summarize phase stability and phase transformation models. The advanced experimental setups of in situ techniques are outlined and the advantages of in situ TEM phase engineering are highlighted, as demonstrated via several representative examples. Besides, the distinctive properties that can be obtained from in situ phase engineering are presented. Finally, current challenges and future research opportunities, along with their potential applications, are suggested.

In Situ Nanomechanics: Opportunities Based on Superplastic Nanomolding

In situ nanomechanics, referring to the real-time monitoring of nanomechanical deformation during quantitative mechanical testing, is a key technology for understanding the physical and mechanical properties of nanoscale materials. This perspective reviews the progress of in situ nanomechanics from the aspects of preparation and testing of nanosamples, with a major focus on one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures and discussions of their challenges. We highlight the opportunities provided by in situ nanomechanics combined with the superplastic nanomolding technique, especially in the aspects of regulating physical and chemical properties which are highly exploitable for mechanoelectronics, mechanoluminescence, piezoelectronics, piezomagnetism, piezothermography, and mechanochemistry.

Solution processable Si/Ge heterostructure NWs enabling anode mass reduction for practical full-cell Li-ion batteries

Here, we report the solution phase synthesis of axial heterostructure Si and Ge (hSG) nanowires (NWs). The NWs were grown in a high boiling point solvent from a low-cost Sn powder to achieve a powder form product which represents an attractive route from lab-scale to commercial application. Slurry processed anodes of the NWs were investigated in half-cell (versus Li-foil) and full-cell (versus NMC811) configurations of a lithium ion battery (LIB). The hSG NW anodes yielded capacities of 1040 mA h g-1 after 150 cycles which corresponds to a 2.8 times increase compared to a standard graphite (372 mA h g-1) anode. Given the impressive specific and areal capacities of the hSG anodes, a full-cell test against a high areal capacity NMC811 cathode was examined. In full-cell configuration, use of the hSG anode resulted in a massive anode mass reduction of 50.7% compared to a standard graphite anode. The structural evolution of the hSG NW anodes into an alloyed SiGe porous mesh network was also investigated using STEM, EDX and Raman spectroscopy as a function of cycle number to fully elucidate the lithiation/delithiation mechanism of the promising anode material.

Scalable Production of Monodisperse Bioactive Spider Silk Nanowires

Elongated protein-based micro- and nanostructures are of great interest for a wide range of biomedical applications, where they can serve as a backbone for surface functionalization and as vehicles for drug delivery. Current production methods for protein constructs lack precise control of either shape and dimensions or render structures fixed to substrates. This work demonstrates production of recombinant spider silk nanowires suspended in solution, starting with liquid bridge induced assembly (LBIA) on a substrate, followed by release using ultrasonication, and concentration by centrifugation. The significance of this method lies in that it provides i) reproducability (standard deviation of length <13% and of diameter <38%), ii) scalability of fabrication, iii) compatibility with autoclavation with retained shape and function, iv) retention of bioactivity, and v) easy functionalization both pre- and post-formation. This work demonstrates how altering the function and nanotopography of a surface by nanowire coating supports the attachment and growth of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Cell compatibility is further studied through integration of nanowires during aggregate formation of hMSCs and the breast cancer cell line MCF7. The herein-presented industrial-compatible process enables silk nanowires for use as functionalizing agents in a variety of cell culture applications and medical research.

Optical Force-Induced Nanowire Cut

One-dimensional nanometer scale-sized materials, such as nanowires, nanotubes, etc., have gradually become new types of structural components, which can be integrated into micro/nano-opto-electromechanical systems. In this paper, optical forces were applied to cut nanowires precisely, which were broken with arbitrary length ratios. The optical force exerted by the optical tweezers proved to be the cause of the fracture of the high-aspect ratio nanowires, and the fracture mechanism of the nanowires was developed. Nanowires of different semiconductor materials were cut with optical tweezers in the experiments. The precise cut with optical tweezers can provide nanowires of appropriate lengths for the construction of nanowire-based structures, which have potential applications for micromachining and microfabrication of micro-electro-mechanical system or semiconductor devices.

Tunable Mechanics and Micromechanism in Close-Knit Silicide-in-SiO2 Core-Shell Nanowires

Bending/tension mechanics is one of the core issues for nanowires in flexible free-standing transport and sensor applications, but it remains a challenge to tailor the mechanical performance beyond the inherent properties. Herein, based on structure engineering, silicon-based Mn₅Si₃@SiO₂ nanocables are proposed and demonstrated as versatile nanosystems. Except for outstanding toughness, large ultimate strain, and great strength, they display diverse mechanical behaviors such as simplex elasticity, plasticity, and viscoelasticity under different external conditions. The tunable performances originate from synergetic effects between the core and shell components, like the atomic bonding transitional interface and space confinement, which induce optimizing internal stress distribution and the dislocation evolution mechanism in the core. The related mechanical performance is revealed carefully. The bending and tension dynamic picture, quantitative force curve, stress-strain dependence, and the corresponding lattice evolution are acquired by in/ex situ characterizations and measurements. These results contribute to nanowire mechanical design and also expand to strain-regulated three-dimensional multifunctional nanosystems.

Polymer-like Inorganic Double Helical van der Waals Semiconductor

In high-performance flexible and stretchable electronic devices, conventional inorganic semiconductors made of rigid and brittle materials typically need to be configured into geometrically deformable formats and integrated with elastomeric substrates, which leads to challenges in scaling down device dimensions and complexities in device fabrication and integration. Here we report the extraordinary mechanical properties of the newly discovered inorganic double helical semiconductor tin indium phosphate. This spiral-shape double helical crystal shows the lowest Young's modulus (13.6 GPa) among all known stable inorganic materials. The large elastic (>27%) and plastic (>60%) bending strains are also observed and attributed to the easy slippage between neighboring double helices that are coupled through van der Waals interactions, leading to the high flexibility and deformability among known semiconducting materials. The results advance the fundamental understanding of the unique polymer-like mechanical properties and lay the foundation for their potential applications in flexible electronics and nanomechanics disciplines.

Mechanical strength enhancement by grain size reduction in a soft colloidal polycrystal

It has long been known that the mechanical strength of finely grained solid state polycrystals could be enhanced when the grain size is reduced. Indeed, the equation linking the yield stress and the inverse square root of grain size was introduced in the 1950s by Hall and Petch. Since then this relationship has been widely used to engineer structural metals and alloys. To date, no similar behavior has been reported in materials other than atomic systems where the grain size usually lies in the nanometric range. The purpose of the present work is to study the influence of grain size on the mechanical strength enhancement of a soft colloidal 'alloy' made of micellar polycrystalline grains and silica nanoparticles. The nanoparticles act as nucleation sites and their concentration promotes the variation of the polycrystalline grain size. This system bears resemblance to solid state polycrystals; however the achieved grain length scale is situated in the micrometric domain. We show that the grain size evolves non-monotonically, first decreasing then increasing, when the nanoparticle concentration increases. Our main result is that the yield stress rigorously obeys the Hall-Petch law and follows a linear variation as a function of the inverse square root of the grain diameter. We believe that our experimental approach offers new possibilities to study the poorly understood mechanical aspects of polycrystalline and nanocrystalline structures, such as their plasticity, using non-destructive techniques.

Tutorial: using nanoneedles for intracellular delivery

Intracellular delivery of advanced therapeutics, including biologicals and supramolecular agents, is complex because of the natural biological barriers that have evolved to protect the cell. Efficient delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids, proteins, peptides and nanoparticles is crucial for clinical adoption of emerging technologies that can benefit disease treatment through gene and cell therapy. Nanoneedles are arrays of vertical high-aspect-ratio nanostructures that can precisely manipulate complex processes at the cell interface, enabling effective intracellular delivery. This emerging technology has already enabled the development of efficient and non-destructive routes for direct access to intracellular environments and delivery of cell-impermeant payloads. However, successful implementation of this technology requires knowledge of several scientific fields, making it complex to access and adopt by researchers who are not directly involved in developing nanoneedle platforms. This presents an obstacle to the widespread adoption of nanoneedle technologies for drug delivery. This tutorial aims to equip researchers with the knowledge required to develop a nanoinjection workflow. It discusses the selection of nanoneedle devices, approaches for cargo loading and strategies for interfacing to biological systems and summarises an array of bioassays that can be used to evaluate the efficacy of intracellular delivery.

Laser-assisted micropyramid patterned PDMS encapsulation of 1D tellurium nanowires on cellulose paper for highly sensitive strain sensor and its photodetection studies

This work demonstrates the fabrication of tellurium-nanowires (Te-NWs)/paper based device encapsulated using laser assisted mircopyramid patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films. Although there are multiple reports published on 1D Te, most of them are limited to establishing its properties and studying its behavior as a sensor and research on the utilization of Te-NWs for physical sensors remain unexplored. Further, reports on p-type photodetectors also remain scarce. The fabricated Te-NWs/paper with micropyramid structured PDMS films encapsulation was used as a strain sensor, and it exhibited considerable improvement (∼60%) in sensitivity compared to smooth PDMS films. The gauge factor of the developed strain sensor was found to be ∼15.3. In addition, fabricated Te-NWs/paper device with contacts was used as a photodetector and it showed photoresponsivity of ∼22.5 mA W^-1and ∼14.5 mA W^-1in visible and NIR regions, respectively. Furthermore, the device exhibited long-term mechanical stability under harsh deformations. Fabricated 1D Te-NWs/paper device was utilized as a strain sensor to monitor the angular movements in the human body and successfully monitored various human motions, including wrist bending, finger knuckle, elbow joint, and knee joint. The successful demonstration of Te-NWs based physical sensors and utilization in broadband photodetectors opens avenues of research for tellurium based flexible and wearable devices.

Bulk Nanostructured Metal from Multiply-Twinned Nanowires

Using chemically synthesized silver nanowires with 5-fold twinning planes as a model system, a bottom-up process to generate a bulk nanostructured metal has been demonstrated. Although the nanowires would be shortened and deformed during densification, they are chosen as a model system because they are currently the most scalable and convenient way to obtain Ag particles with high twinning densities. Direct cold pressing of a silver nanowire filter cake did not generate a sufficiently cohesive sample, while hot pressing at 190 °C for 8 h resulted in extensive sintering, eliminating the nanowire morphology. Copper was then electroplated on the silver nanowires as a binder and filler to increase the densification upon hot pressing; despite nonuniform plating across the thickness of the filter cake, the thermal stability of the nanowires was increased, allowing hot pressing at 390 °C. Finally, a uniform copper coating on silver nanowires was achieved by electroless plating, leading to cohesive bulk metal after hot pressing.

Effect of crystal structure on the Young's modulus of GaP nanowires

Young's modulus of tapered mixed composition (zinc-blende with a high density of twins and wurtzite with a high density of stacking faults) gallium phosphide (GaP) nanowires (NWs) was investigated by atomic force microscopy. Experimental measurements were performed by obtaining bending profiles of as-grown inclined GaP NWs deformed by applying a constant force to a series of NW surface locations at various distances from the NW/substrate interface. Numerical modeling of experimental data on bending profiles was done by applying Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Measurements of the nano-local stiffness at different distances from the NW/substrate interface revealed NWs with a non-ideal mechanical fixation at the NW/substrate interface. Analysis of the NWs with ideally fixed base resulted in experimentally measured Young's modulus of 155 ± 20 GPa for ZB NWs, and 157 ± 20 GPa for WZ NWs, respectively, which are in consistence with a theoretically predicted bulk value of 167 GPa. Thus, impacts of the crystal structure (WZ/ZB) and crystal defects on Young's modulus of GaP NWs were found to be negligible.

Elastic Behavior of Nb2O5/Al2O3 Core-Shell Nanowires in Terms of Short-Range-Order Structures

Single-crystalline niobium pentoxide nanowires (NWs) of length 10-15 μm and diameter 100-200 nm are synthesized by thermal oxidation of niobium substrates in a mild vacuum (3-10 mbar). Amorphous Al₂O₃ shells of varying thicknesses (10, 30, 40, and 50 nm) are deposited on top of the wires using atomic layer deposition. Bending tests of the uncoated Nb₂O₅ NWs and the Nb₂O₅/Al₂O₃ core-shell NWs are carried out inside a scanning electron microscope using a micromanipulator with a force measurement tip. The experimental deflection curves are modeled with Euler-Bernoulli (E-B) beam theory, and the Young's modulus is manipulated to determine the best fit. The Nb₂O₅ NWs with no shell are determined to have a Young's modulus of 67 ± 10 GPa, which agrees with the published data on Nb₂O₅ thin films. For core-shell NWs, only small deflections of the wires with 10 and 30 nm thick shells can be fitted with the E-B model when utilizing constant Young's modulus values of 67 GPa for the Nb₂O₅ core and about 160 GPa for the Al₂O₃ shell. When allowing for a change in the Young's modulus of the Al₂O₃ shell, the Young's modulus is determined to be at 120 ± 10 GPa for 10 nm and 145 ± 12 GPa for 30 nm at the highest applied load. For thicknesses of 40 nm and 50 nm, we observed a reduced but constant 120 ± 11 and 111 ± 10 GPa, respectively. Such behavior may result from structural disordering of the amorphous Al₂O₃ through reducing fractions of the densely packed polyhedra, while the fractions of the loosely packed polyhedra increase as a result of the increasing strain or the fabrication process. The increased disorder is associated with increased average interatomic spacing. Thus, the atomic bonding force and also the Young's modulus decrease.

Detection of sub-atomic movement in nanostructures

Nanoscale objects move fast and oscillate billions of times per second. Such movements occur naturally in the form of thermal (Brownian) motion while stimulated movements underpin the functionality of nano-mechanical sensors and active nano-(electro/opto) mechanical devices. Here we introduce a methodology for detecting such movements, based on the spectral analysis of secondary electron emission from moving nanostructures, that is sensitive to displacements of sub-atomic amplitude. We demonstrate the detection of nanowire Brownian oscillations of ∼10 pm amplitude and hyperspectral mapping of stimulated oscillations of setae on the body of a common flea. The technique opens a range of opportunities for the study of dynamic processes in materials science, nanotechnology and biology.

The adhesion of a mica nanolayer on a single-layer graphene supported by SiO2 substrate characterised in air

Two-dimensional nanolayers have found increasingly widespread applications in modern flexible electronic devices. Their adhesion with neighbouring layers can significantly affect the mechanical stability and the reliability of those devices. However, the measurement of such adhesion has been a great challenge. In this work, we develop a new and simple methodology to measure the interfacial adhesion between a mica nanolayer (MNL) and a single-layer graphene (SLG) supported by a SiO₂ substrate. The method is based on the well-known Obreimoff method but integrated with innovative nanomanipulation and profile measuring approaches. Our study shows that the adhesion energy of MNLs on the SLG/SiO₂ substrate system is considerably lower than that on the SiO₂ substrate alone. Quantitative analyses reveal that the wrinkles formed on the SLG can considerably lower the adhesion. This outcome is of technological value as the adhesion maybe tailored by controlling the wrinkle formation in the graphene layer in a flexible electronic device.

Nanoarchitectonics for Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Nanowires: Toward the Next Generation of Nanoelectromechanical Systems for Environmental Monitoring

Semiconductor nanowires are widely considered as the building blocks that revolutionized many areas of nanosciences and nanotechnologies. The unique features in nanowires, including high electron transport, excellent mechanical robustness, large surface area, and capability to engineer their intrinsic properties, enable new classes of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors in the form of nanowires are a hot spot of research owing to the tremendous possibilities in NEMS, particularly for environmental monitoring and energy harvesting. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the recent progress on the growth, properties and applications of silicon carbide (SiC), group III-nitrides, and diamond nanowires as the materials of choice for NEMS. It begins with a snapshot on material developments and fabrication technologies, covering both bottom-up and top-down approaches. A discussion on the mechanical, electrical, optical, and thermal properties is provided detailing the fundamental physics of WBG nanowires along with their potential for NEMS. A series of sensing and electronic devices particularly for environmental monitoring is reviewed, which further extend the capability in industrial applications. The article concludes with the merits and shortcomings of environmental monitoring applications based on these classes of nanowires, providing a roadmap for future development in this fast-emerging research field.

Self-healing on mismatched fractured composite surfaces of SiC with a diameter of 180 nm

Self-healing on fractured surfaces of silicon carbide (SiC) is highly desirable, to avoid the catastrophic failure of high-performance devices working at extreme environments. Nevertheless, self-healing on a fractured surface of an amorphous and crystalline (AAC) composite structure of a brittle nanowire (NW) has not been demonstrated. In this study, self-healing is demonstrated on mismatched fractured surfaces of the AAC composite structure of a brittle solid for a SiC NW with a diameter of 187 nm. Fracture strength is 10.18 GPa for the AAC structure, recovering 11.7% after self-healing on its mismatched fractured surfaces. To the best of our knowledge, we firstly report the self-healing on mismatched fractured surfaces of the AAC structure for a brittle NW. This is a breakthrough of the previous prediction that self-healing could not be realized on a brittle NW with a diameter over 150 nm. A growth of 3 nm was found after self-healing on the gap induced by mismatched fractured surfaces, which is different from previous reports for pure amorphous and monocrystalline brittle NWs. To reduce the potential energy, coherent rebonding and debonding were performed to realize the atomic migration to fill the gap, resulting in the growth of gap of 3 nm to perform self-healing. Our findings shed light on the potential of self-healing for design and fabrication of next-generation high-performance SiC devices used in the vacuum and aerospace industries.

Phase transition enhanced superior elasticity in freestanding single-crystalline multiferroic BiFeO3 membranes

The integration of ferroic oxide thin films into advanced flexible electronics will bring multifunctionality beyond organic and metallic materials. However, it is challenging to achieve high flexibility in single-crystalline ferroic oxides that is considerable to organic or metallic materials. Here, we demonstrate the superior flexibility of freestanding single-crystalline BiFeO₃ membranes, which are typical multiferroic materials with multifunctionality. They can endure cyclic 180° folding and have good recoverability, with the maximum bending strain up to 5.42% during in situ bending under scanning electron microscopy, far beyond their bulk counterparts. Such superior elasticity mainly originates from reversible rhombohedral-tetragonal phase transition, as revealed by phase-field simulations. This study suggests a general fundamental mechanism for a variety of ferroic oxides to achieve high flexibility and to work as smart materials in flexible electronics.

Mechanism-Independent Manipulation of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes with Atomic Force Microscopy Tip

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) based nanomanipulation can align the orientation and position of individual carbon nanotubes accurately. However, the flexible deformation during the tip manipulation modifies the original shape of these nanotubes, which could affect its electrical properties and reduce the accuracy of AFM nanomanipulation. Thus, we developed a protocol for searching the synergistic parameter combinations to push single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to maintain their original shape after manipulation as far as possible, without requiring the sample physical properties and the tip-manipulation mechanisms. In the protocol, from a vast search space of manipulating parameters, the differential evolution (DE) algorithm was used to identify the optimal combinations of three parameters rapidly with the DE algorithm and the feedback of the length ratio of SWCNTs before and after manipulation. After optimizing the scale factor F and crossover probability Cr, the values F = 0.4 and Cr = 0.6 were used, and the ratio could reach 0.95 within 5-7 iterations. A parameter region with a higher length ratio was also studied to supply arbitrary pushing parameter combinations for individual manipulation demand. The optimal pushing parameter combination reduces the manipulation trajectory and the tip abrasion, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of tip manipulation for nanowire materials. The protocol for searching the best parameter combinations used in this study can also be extended to manipulate other one-dimensional nanomaterials.

Tunable Mechanical Property and Structural Transition of Silicon Nitride Nanowires Induced by Focused Ion Beam Irradiation

Tailoring mechanical properties of the nanowire (NW) with intricate composite structure helps to design nanodevices with novel functionalities. Here, we performed in situ tensile deformation electron microscopy for the evaluation of the mechanical properties of the focused ion beam (FIB) irradiated silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) nanowires (NWs). Young's modulus of the FIB-fabricated NWs was mediated between the range of 522 and 65 GPa by modifying the shell thickness of the core-shell structure. The ion-beam-induced amorphization is found to induce the structural transition from an utter crystalline state to a composite NW with an amorphous shell, which results in a brittle-to-ductile transition and an unexpected plastic deformation. These results have practical implications for optimizing nanostructures with the desired mechanical properties, which are of fundamental relevance in designing and fabricating nanomechanical devices.

Beyond linearity: bent crystalline copper nanowires in the small-to-moderate regime

Several models can describe the nonlinear response of 1D objects to bending under a concentrated load. Successive stages consisting of geometrical and, additionally, mechanical non-linearity can be identified in moderately large extensions. We provide an explicit bending moment function with terms accounting for the linearity (Euler-Bernoulli), quasi-linearity, geometrical and finally, mechanical non-linearity as global features of a moderately large elastic deformation. We apply our method, also suitable for other metals, to the experimental data of Cu nanowires (NWs) with an aspect ratio of about 16 under different concentrated loadings. The spatial distribution of strain-hardening/softening along the wire or through the cross-section is also demonstrated. As a constitutive parameter, the strain-dependent stretch modulus represents, undoubtedly, changes in the material properties as the deformation progresses. At the highest load, the Green-Lagrange strain reaches a 12.5% extension with a corresponding ultra-high strength of about 7.45 GPa at the most strained volume still in the elastic regime. The determined stretch modulus indicates a significantly lower elastic response with an approximated Young's modulus (E ≅ 65 GPa) and a third-order elastic constant, C 111 ≅ -350 GPa. Surprisingly, these constants suggest a 25-35% of that of the bulk counterparts. Ultimately, the method not only provides a quantitative description of the bent Cu NWs, but also indicates the robustness of the theory of nonlinear elasticity.

Effect of Fe-doping on bending elastic properties of single-crystalline rutile TiO2 nanowires

Transition-metal-doping can improve some physical properties of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanowires (NWs), which leads to important applications in miniature devices. Here, we investigated the elastic moduli of single-crystalline pristine and Fe-doped rutile TiO₂ NWs using the three-point bending method, which is taken as a case study of impacts on the elastic properties of TiO₂ NWs caused by transition-metal-doping. The Young's modulus of the pristine rutile TiO₂ NWs decreases when the cross-sectional area increases (changing from 246 GPa to 93.2 GPa). However, the elastic modulus of the Fe-doped rutile NWs was found to increase with the cross-sectional area (changing from 91.8 GPa to 200 GPa). For NWs with similar geometrical size, the elastic modulus (156.8 GPa) for Fe-doped rutile NWs is 24% smaller than that (194.5 GPa) of the pristine rutile TiO₂ NWs. The vacancies generated by Fe-doping are supposed to cause the reduction of elastic modulus of rutile TiO₂ NWs. This work provides a fundamental understanding of the effects of transition-metal-doping on the elastic properties of TiO₂ NWs.

Super-elastic ferroelectric single-crystal membrane with continuous electric dipole rotation

Ferroelectrics are usually inflexible oxides that undergo brittle deformation. We synthesized freestanding single-crystalline ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO₃) membranes with a damage-free lifting-off process. Our BaTiO₃ membranes can undergo a ~180° folding during an in situ bending test, demonstrating a super-elasticity and ultraflexibility. We found that the origin of the super-elasticity was from the dynamic evolution of ferroelectric nanodomains. High stresses modulate the energy landscape markedly and allow the dipoles to rotate continuously between the a and c nanodomains. A continuous transition zone is formed to accommodate the variant strain and avoid high mismatch stress that usually causes fracture. The phenomenon should be possible in other ferroelectrics systems through domain engineering. The ultraflexible epitaxial ferroelectric membranes could enable many applications such as flexible sensors, memories, and electronic skins.

Ultimate Strength of Metals

We present a theoretical model that predicts the peak strength of polycrystalline metals based on the activation energy (or stress) required to cause deformation via amorphization. Building on extensive earlier work, this model is based purely on materials properties, requires no adjustable parameters, and is shown to accurately predict the strength of four exemplar metals (fcc, bcc, and hcp, and an alloy). This framework reveals new routes for design of more complex high-strength materials systems, such as compositionally complex alloys, multiphase systems, nonmetals, and composite structures.

Surface softening regulates size-dependent stiffness of diamond nanowires

Diamond nanowires (NWs) belong to an important class of nanoscale materials for their outstanding potential in mechanical, electrical, and thermal applications. However, their mechanical behavior under pristine and defective conditions remains less understood. This paper reveals a comprehensive understanding of the effective elastic behavior of diamond NWs, and it uncovers surface-softening as the dominant mechanism that regulates their effective behavior. We applied the force-based and energy-based approaches and constructed a comparative analysis to reveal the atomistic basis behind the diameter-dependent elastic properties of the nanowires. Our findings suggest the energy-based approach to produce physically meaningful results, whereas the widely used force-based scheme produces inconsistent size-dependent behavior. Results show that, with increasing diameter, the softening of the surface and the defective regimes decreases. As a direct consequence of the alteration in the softening state, the first-order elastic modulus increases with increasing diameter, whereas the second-order modulus decreases. Also, vacancy defects, even in very dilute concentrations, are found to substantially affect the elastic behavior of the nanowire. Furthermore, surface, core, and defective regimes exhibit very different roles in nanowires of different diameters: the surface regime acts as a softer regime and the core as stiffer, regardless of the diameter. Their cumulative effect is however dominated by the surface in smaller-diameter nanowire-but in wider diameter nanowires it is dominated by the core. As a result, the size-dependent behavior is strictly controlled by the softening state of the surface. The diameter-dependent elastic moduli show a power-law relation, which deviates substantially from the simple surface-to-volume ratio. These findings suggest surface-engineering as an important tool for modulating the effective behavior of brittle nanowires.

Theoretical insight on the origin of anelasticity in zinc oxide nanowires

Anelasticity of nanowires has recently attracted attention as an interesting property for high efficiency mechanical damping materials. While the mechanism of anelasticity has so far been analysed using continuum mechanical models based on defect diffusion, the mechanisms behind anelasticity have not yet been determined on an atomic level. Such information is needed in order to be able to design and synthesise new nanomaterials having desired mechanical properties. Here we determine the potential mechanism of anelasticity in narrow zinc oxide nanowires by analyzing the bond stretching and compression within the nanowire structure based on density functional theory. Our approach shows that different local minimum structures are created when different strain patterns are applied which give rise to the anelastic behavior. These findings can be applied for the prediction of potential anelasticity of other nanowire materials.

Tunable Anelasticity in Amorphous Si Nanowires

In situ bending tests of amorphous Si nanowires (a-Si NWs) found different elastic behavior depending on whether they were straight or curved to begin with. The axially straight NWs exhibit pure elastic deformation; however, the axially curved NWs exhibit obvious anelastic behavior when they are bent in the direction of original curvature. On the basis of STEM-EELS analysis, we propose that the underlying mechanism for this anelastic behavior is a bond-switching assisted redistribution of the nonuniform density (structure) in the curved NWs under the inhomogeneous stress field. This mechanism was further supported by the fact that the originally straight a-Si NWs also display similar anelasticity with the as-grown curved NWs after focused ion beam irradiation that can cause nonuniform structure distribution. As compared to what has been reported in other 1D materials, the anelasticity of a-Si NWs can be tuned by modifying their morphology, controlling the loading direction, or irradiating them via ion beam. Our findings suggest that a-Si NWs could be a promising material in the nanoscale damping systems, especially the semiconductor nanodevices.

Multi-Segmented Nanowires: A High Tech Bright Future

In the last couple of decades, there has been a lot of progress in the synthesis methods of nano-structural materials, but still the field has a large number of puzzles to solve. Metal nanowires (NWs) and their alloys represent a sub category of the 1-D nano-materials and there is a large effort to study the microstructural, physical and chemical properties to use them for further industrial applications. Due to technical limitations of single component NWs, the hetero-structured materials gained attention recently. Among them, multi-segmented NWs are more diverse in applications, consisting of two or more segments that can perform multiple function at a time, which confer their unique properties. Recent advancement in characterization techniques has opened up new opportunities for understanding the physical properties of multi-segmented structures of 1-D nanomaterials. Since the multi-segmented NWs needs a reliable response from an external filed, numerous studies have been done on the synthesis of multi-segmented NWs to precisely control the physical properties of multi-segmented NWs. This paper highlights the electrochemical synthesis and physical properties of multi-segmented NWs, with a focus on the mechanical and magnetic properties by explaining the shape, microstructure, and composition of NWs.

In Situ Atomic-Scale Study on the Ultralarge Bending Behaviors of TiO2-B/Anatase Dual-Phase Nanowires

It is challenging but important to understand the mechanical properties of one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials for their design and integration into nanodevices. Generally, brittle ceramic nanowires (NWs) cannot withstand a large bending strain. Herein, in situ bending deformation of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) NWs with a bronze/anatase dual-phase was carried out inside a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) system. An ultralarge bending strain up to 20.3% was observed on individual NWs. Through an in situ atomic-scale study, the large bending behavior for a dual-phase TiO₂ NW was found to be related to a continuous crystalline-structure evolution including phase transition, small deformation twinning, and dislocation nucleation and movements. Additionally, no amorphization or crack occurred in the dual-phase TiO₂ NW even under an ultralarge bending strain. These results revealed that an individual ceramic NW can undergo a large bending strain with rich defect activities.

Nanomechanical Characterization of Vertical Nanopillars Using an MEMS-SPM Nano-Bending Testing Platform

Nanomechanical characterization of vertically aligned micro- and nanopillars plays an important role in quality control of pillar-based sensors and devices. A microelectromechanical system based scanning probe microscope (MEMS-SPM) has been developed for quantitative measurement of the bending stiffness of micro- and nanopillars with high aspect ratios. The MEMS-SPM exhibits large in-plane displacement with subnanometric resolution and medium probing force beyond 100 micro-Newtons. A proof-of-principle experimental setup using an MEMS-SPM prototype has been built to experimentally determine the in-plane bending stiffness of silicon nanopillars with an aspect ratio higher than 10. Comparison between the experimental results and the analytical and FEM evaluation has been demonstrated. Measurement uncertainty analysis indicates that this nano-bending system is able to determine the pillar bending stiffness with an uncertainty better than 5%, provided that the pillars’ stiffness is close to the suspending stiffness of the MEMS-SPM. The MEMS-SPM measurement setup is capable of on-chip quantitative nanomechanical characterization of pillar-like nano-objects fabricated out of different materials.

Rapid Fabrication, Microstructure, and in Vitro and in Vivo Investigations of a High-Performance Multilayer Coating with External, Flexible, and Silicon-Doped Hydroxyapatite Nanorods on Titanium

A high-performance multilayer coating with external, flexible, and silicon-doped hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) nanorods was designed using bionics. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) and the microwave hydrothermal (MH) method were used to rapidly deposit this multilayer coating on a titanium (Ti) substrate, applied for 5 and 10 min, respectively. The bioactive multilayer coating was composed of four layers, and the outermost layer was an external growth layer that consisted of many Si-HA nanorods with a single-crystal structure. The Si-HA nanorods exhibited good flexibility, likely because of their complete single-crystal structures, smooth surfaces, and suitable diameters and lengths. This multilayer coating with a high surface energy was superhydrophilic and exhibited good in vitro bioactivities, such as good apatite formation ability, good cell spreading, and high osteogenic gene expression levels. After implantation in the tibia of rabbits for 16 weeks, almost no soft tissues were formed at the MH treated PEO implant-bone interface. A direct bone contact interface was formed by a bridging effect of the flexible Si-HA nanorods, which further produced a high implant-bone interface bonding strength. The current results demonstrated that the bioactive multilayer layers with the flexible Si-HA nanorods displayed a very good osseointegration ability, showing promising applications in the biomedical field.