title: Long-range linear elasticity and mechanical instability of self-scrolling binormal nanohelices under a uniaxial load.
abstract: Mechanical properties of self-scrolling binormal nanohelices with a rectangular cross-section are investigated under uniaxial tensile and compressive loads using nanorobotic manipulation and Cosserat curve theory. Stretching experiments demonstrate that small-pitch nanohelices have an exceptionally large linear elasticity region and excellent mechanical stability, which are attributed to their structural flexibility based on an analytical model. In comparison between helices with a circular, square and rectangular cross-section, modeling results indicate that, while the binormal helical structure is stretched with a large strain, the stress on the material remains low. This is of particular significance for such applications as elastic components in micro-/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS). The mechanical instability of a self-scrolling nanohelix under compressive load is also investigated, and the low critical load for buckling suggests that the self-scrolling nanohelices are more suitable for extension springs in MEMS/NEMS.
authors: School of Mathematics and Physics, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215011, P.R. China.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dai
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: L X
authors: LX
authors: Dong
authors: W Z
authors: WZ
authors: Shen
authors: X B
authors: XB
authors: Zhang
authors: Z Z
authors: ZZ
authors: Ye
authors: B J
authors: BJ
authors: Nelson
mesh_terms: D002857:Chromium / Q000737:chemistry; D004548:Elasticity; D005857:Germanium / Q000737:chemistry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D005857:Germanium; D002857:Chromium; D012825:Silicon