SurfAce State and mecHanics of nAno-objects – SASHA

Nano-objects (nanoparticles, nanowires or thin films) exhibit particularly exciting mechanical properties that strongly depend on their surface morphology (e.g., surface step, roughness) and chemical state (e.g., oxidation, hydroxylation). The aim of SASHA is the development and application of an original modeling methodology that will better account for surface architecture when probing mechanical and other physical properties of nano-objects. Nano-objects will be designed with more realistic shapes, closer to experimental observations, including surface roughness and chemical state. These surface modifications, supposed to strongly affect the observed deformation processes and mechanical responses, might significantly influence our understanding of nano-mechanics. Modeling predictions will be completed by in situ environmental TEM and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging experiments.