Nanotechnology

in
Mechanical Engineering

1
Outline of the Presentation
 Lecture
 In-class group activities
 Video Clips
 Homework

2
 Course Outline
Lecture - I Lecture – II
Introduction to Nano-
Technology in Engineering Nano-Mechanics

 Basic concepts Nanoscale Thermal

 Length and time scales
and FlowPhenomena
 Nano-structured materials
- Nanocomposites Experimental
- Nanotubes and nanowire Techniques

 Applications and Examples Modeling and

Simulation 3
 Lecture Topics
We will address some of the key issues of
nano-technology in Mechanical Engineering.

Some of the topics that will be addressed are

nano-structured materials; nanoparticles and
nanofluids, nanodevices and sensors, and
applications.

4
 Major Topics in Mechanical Engineering
 Mechanics:
 Design of machines and
Statics : Deals with forces, Moments,
equilibrium of a stationary body
structures
Dynamics: Deals with body in motion -
 Dynamics system, sensors
and controls
velocity, acceleration, torque,
momentum, angular momentum.
 Robotics
 Structure and properties of material
 Computer-Aided Design
(CAD/CAM)
(Including strengths)

 Computational Fluid
Thermodynamics, power generation, Dynamics (CFD) and
alternate energy (power plants,
Finite Element Method
solar, wind, geothermal, engines)
 Fabrication and
Manufacturing processes

5
Diesel Engine Simulation Model

Fuel Cell Design and Flow in micro channel

Development Bipolar Plates

Electron flow
DC power Supply

(+) (-)

2e 

Cathode
Anode H Electrode
Electrode

H2 No slip
x = 10 m
x = 250 m Slipx =Conditions
x = 500 m 750 m x = 1000
Electrolyte membrane m
MEAs
condition

6
 Length Scales in Sciences and
Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics:
Regimes of Mechanics Deals with atoms -
Molecular Mechanics:
Molecular Networks -
Nanomechanics:
Nano-Materials -
Quantum Molecular Nano- Micro- Macro- Micromechanics:
Mechanics Mechanics mechanics mechanics Mechanics
s Macro-mechanic:
1010 10 8 10 6 10 3 100 Continuum
substance
Length Scales (m)

7
 Quantum and Molecular Mechanics
 All substances are composed molecules or atoms in
random motion.
 For a system consisting of cube of 25-mm on each side
and containing gas with 1020 atoms.
 To specify the position of each molecule, we need to
three co-ordinates and three component velocities
 So, in order to describe the behavior of this system
form atomic view point, we need to deal with at least
6  1020
equations.
 This is quite a computational task even with the most
powerful (massively parallel multiple processors)
computer available today.
 There are two approaches to handle this situations:
Microscopic or Macroscopic model 8
 Microscopic Vs Macroscopic
Approach -1: Microscopic viewpoint based on
kinetic theory and statistical mechanics
 On the basis of statistical considerations and probability
theory, we deal with average values of all atoms or molecules
and in connection with a model of the atom.

Approach – II Macroscopic view point

 Consider gross or average behavior of a number of molecules
that can be handled based on the continuum assumption.
 We mainly deal with time averaged influence of many
molecules.
 These macroscopic or average effects can be perceived by our
senses and measured by instruments.
 This leads to our treatment of substance as an infinitely
divisible substance or continuum.
9
Breakdown of Continuum Model
 To show the limit of continuum or macroscopic model, let us consider the concept of density:

 Density is defined as the mass

per unit volume and expressed as


Where is the smallest volume for which substance can be assumed as continuum.

 Volume smaller than this will leadm

to the fact that mass is not uniformly distributed, but rather concentrated in particles

lim
  electrons etc.
as molecules, atoms,
V as volume decreases below the continuum limit. /
Figure shows such variation in /density V
V  V V

10
 Macroscopic Properties and
Measurement
Pressure Pressure
Pressure is defined as the Measurement
average normal-component
of force per unit area and
P
expressed as F Gas
Pressure
Fn Tank
P  lim Fn
Gauge

A  A / A
A
For a pressure gauge, it is the
/ average force (rate of change of
Where A is the smallest momentum) exerted by the
volume for which substance
can be assumed as continuum. randomly moving atoms or
Unit: Pascal (Pa) orN m 2 molecules over the sensor’s area.
11
 Introduction- Nanotechnology
 Nanoscale uses “nanometer” as the basic unit of
measurement and it represents a billionth of a
meter or one billionth of a part.
 Nanotechnology deals with nanosized particles
and devices
 One- nm is about 3 to 5 atoms wide. This is very
tiny when compared normal sizes encounter day-
to-day.
- For example this is 1/1000th the width of human
hair.
12
 Any physical substance or device with
structural dimensions below 100 nm is called
nanomaterial or nano-device.
 Nanotechnology rests on the technology that
involves fabrication of material, devices and
systems through direct control of matter at
nanometer length scale or less than 100 nm.

13
 Nanoparticles can be defined as building blocks of
nanomaterials and nanotechnology.
 Nanoparticles include nanotubes, nanofibers, fullerenes,
dendrimers, nanowires and may be made of ceramics,
metal, nonmetal, metal oxide, organic or inorganic.
 At this small scale level, the physical, chemical and
biological properties of materials differ significantly
from the fundamental properties at bulk level.
 Many forces or effects such inter-molecular forces,
surface tension, electromagnetic, electrostatic, capillary
becomes significantly more dominant than gravity.
 Nanomaterial can be physically and chemically
manipulated to alter the properties, and these properties
can be measured using nanoscale sensors and gages.
14
 A structure of the size of an atom represents one of
the fundamental limit.
 Fabricating or making anything smaller require
manipulation in atomic or molecular level and that is
like changing one chemical form to other.
 Scientist and engineers have just started developing
new techniques for making nanostructures.
The nanoscience is matured.
Nanoscience
The age of nanofabrication is
here.

Nanofabrication Nanotechnology
The age of nanotechnology -
that is the practical use of
nanostructure has just started.
15
Nanotechnology in Mechanical
Engineering
New Basic
Concepts

Nano-
Nano-Scale Nano-fluidics
Mechanics
Heat Transfer

Applications
16
 Applications
 Structural materials
 Nano devices and sensors
 Coolants and heat spreaders
 Lubrication
 Engine emission reduction
 Fuel cell – nanoporous electrode/membranes/nanocatalyst
 Hydrogen storage medium
 Sustainable energy generation - Photovoltaic cells for
power conversion
 Biological systems and biomedicine

17
 Basic Concepts
Energy Carriers
Phonon: Quantized lattice vibration energy with wave
nature of propagation
- dominant in crystalline material
Free Electrons:
- dominant in metals
Photon: Quantized electromagnetic energy with wave
nature of propagation
- energy carrier of radiative energy
18
 Length Scales
Two regimes:
I. Classical microscale size-effect domain – Useful for
microscale heat transfer in micron-size environment.

Lc
 O(1) Where
m  m  mean free path length of the substance

Lc  characteristic device dimension

II. Quantum nanoscale size-effect domain –
More relevant to nanoscale heat transfer
Lc
 O(1) Where
c
 c  characteristic wave length of the electrons

or phonons
19
 This length scale will provide the guidelines
for analysis method- both theoretical and
experimental methods:
classical microscale domain or nanoscale
size-effect domain.

20
 Flow in Nano-channels
 The Navier –Stokes (N-S) equation of continuum model fails when the
gradients of macroscopic variables become so steep that the length scale is of
the order of average distance traveled by the molecules between collision.

Kn 
 Knudsen number ( L ) is typical parameter used to classify the length
scale and flow regimes:
Kn < 0.01: Continuum approach with traditional Navier-Stokes
and no-slip boundary conditions are valid.
0.01<Kn<0.1: Slip flow regime and N-S with slip boundary
conditions are applicable
0.1<Kn<10: Transition regime – Continuum approach completely
breaks – Molecular Dynamic Simulation
Kn > 10 : Free molecular regime – The collision less Boltzman
equation is applicable.

21
 Time Scales
Relaxation time for different collision process:
Relaxation time for phonon-electron
interaction: O (10 11 s)

Relaxation time for electron-electron

interaction: O (10 13 s)

Relaxation time for phonon-phonon

interaction: O (1013 s)

22
Nanotechnology: Modeling Methods
 Quantum Mechanics
 Atomistic simulation
 Molecular Mechanics/Dynamics
Nanomechanics
Nanoheat transfer and Nanofluidics

23
 Models for Inter-molecules Force
- Inter-molecular Potential
Model
- Inverse Power Law Model or Force

Inter-Molecular Distance
Point Centre of Repulsion

Model
- Hard Sphere Model
- Maxwell Model Inter-molecular
- Lennard-Jones Potential Potential Model
Model

24
Nanotools
 Nanotools are required for manipulation of matter at
nanoscale or atomic level.
 Certain devices which manipulate matter at atomic or
molecular level are Scanning-probe microscopes,
atomic force microscopes, atomic layer deposition
devices and nanolithography tools.
 Nanolithography means creation of nanoscale
structure by etching or printing.
 Nanotools comprises of fabrication techniques,
analysis and metrology instruments, software for
nanotechnology research and development.
 Softwares are utilized in nanolithography, 3-D
printing, nanofluidics and chemical vapor deposition.

25
Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials
Nanoparticles:
 Nanoparticles are significantly larger than individual
atoms and molecules.
 Nanoparticles are not completely governed by either
quantum chemistry or by laws of classical physics.
 Nanoparticles have high surface area per unit volume.
 When material size is reduced the number of atoms on the
surface increases than number of atoms in the material
itself. This surface structure dominates the properties
related to it.
 Nanoparticles are made from chemically stable metals,
metal oxides and carbon in different forms.
26
 Carbon -Nanotubes
 Carbon nanotubes are hollow
cylinders made up of carbon atoms.

 The diameter of carbon nanotube is

few nanometers and they can be
several millimeters in length.
 Carbon nanotubes looks like rolled
tubes of graphite and their walls are
like hexagonal carbon rings and are
formed in large bundles.
 Have high surface area per unit
volume
 Carbon nanotubes are 100 times
stronger than steel at one-sixth of
the weight.
 Carbon nanotubes have the ability to
sustain high temperature ~ 2000 C.
27
There are four types of carbon
nanotube: Single Walled Carbon
Nanotube (SWNT), Multi Walled
Xarbon nanotube (MWNT), Fullerene
and Torus.

SWNTs are made up of single

cylindrical grapheme layer

MWNTs is made up of multiple

Grapheme layers.

SWNT possess important electric

properties which MWNT does not.

SWNT are excellent conductors, so finds

its application in miniaturizing
electronics components.
28
 Nanocomposites
 Formed by combining two or more
nanomaterials to achieve better
properties.

 Gives the best properties of each

individual nanomaterial.

 Show increase in strength, modulus of

elasticity and strain in failure.

 Interfacial characteristics, shape,

structure and properties of individual
nanomaterials decide the properties.

 Find use in high performance,

lightweight, energy savings and
environmental protection applications
- buildings and structures, automobiles
29
 Examples of nanocomposites include nanowires
and metal matrix composites.

 Classified into multilayered structures and inorganic or

organic composites.

 Multilayered structures are formed from self-assembly of

monolayers.

 Nanocomposites may provide heterostructures formed from

various inorganic or organic layers, leading to
multifunctional
materials.

 Nanowires are made up of various materials and find its 30

Nanostructured Materials

 All the properties of nanostructured

are controlled by changes in atomic
structure, in length scales, in sizes
and in alloying components.

 Nanostructured materials are

formed by controlling grain sizes and Different behavior of atoms
creating increased surface area per at surface has been
unit volume. observed than atom at
interior.
 Decrease in grain size causes
increase in volumetric fraction of Structural and
grain boundaries, which leads to compositional differences
changes in fundamental properties of between bulk material and
materials. nanomaterial cause change
31
 The size affected properties are color, thermal conductivity,
mechanical, electrical, magnetic etc.

 Nanophase metals show increase in hardness and modulus

of elasticity than bulk metals.

 Nanostructured materials are produced in the form of

powders, thin films and in coatings.

 Synthesis of nanostructured materials take place by Top –

Down or Bottom- Up method.
- In Top-Down method the bulk solid is decomposed into
nanostructure.
- In Bottom-Up method atoms or molecules are
assembled into bulk solid.
 The future of nanostructured materials deal with controlling
characteristics, processing into and from bulk material and32
 Nanofluids
Nanofluids are engineered colloid formed with stable
suspemsions of solid nano-particles in traditional base liquids.

Base fluids: Water, organic fluids, Glycol, oil, lubricants and

other fluids

Nanoparticle materials:
- Metal Oxides: Al 2 O 3 ZrO 2 SiO 2 Fe 3O 4
- Stable metals: Au, cu
- Carbon: carbon nanotubes (SWNTs, MWNTs),
diamond, graphite, fullerene, Amorphous Carbon
- Polymers : Teflon
Nanoparticle size: 1-100 nm

33
 Nanofluid Heat Transfer
Enhancement
 Thermal conductivity enhancement
- Reported breakthrough in substantially increase
( 20-30%) in thermal conductivity of fluid by
adding very small amounts (3-4%) of suspended
metallic or metallic oxides or nanotubes.
 Increased convective heat transfer
characteristic for heat transfer fluids as
coolant or heating fluid.
- 34
 Nanofluids and Nanofludics
Nanofluids have been investigated
- to identify the specific transport mechanism
- to identify critical parameters
- to characterize flow characteristics in macro,
micro and nano-channels
- to quantify heat exchange performance,
- to develop specific production, management
and safety issues, and measurement and
simulation techniques
35
 Nano-fluid Applications
 Energy conversion and energy storage system
 Electronics cooling techniques
 Thermal management of fuel cell energy
systems
 Nuclear reactor coolants
 Combustion engine coolants
 Super conducting magnets
 Biological systems and biomedicine
36
 Nano-Biotechnology
 When the tools and processes of nanotechnology are
applied towards biosystems, it is called nanobiotechnology.
 Due to characteristic length scale and unique properties,
nanomaterials can find its application in biosystems.
 Nanocomposite materials can play great role in
development of materials for biocompatible implant.
 Nano sensors and nanofluidcs have started playing an
important role in diagnostic tests and drug delivering
system for decease control.
 The long term aim of nano-biotechnology is to build tiny
devices with biological tools incorporated into it diagonistic
and treatment..
37
 National Nanotechnology Initiative
in Medicine
 Improved imaging (See: www.3DImaging.com)
 Treatment of Disease
 Superior Implant
 Drug delivery system and treatment using
Denrimers, Nanoshells, Micro- and
Nanofluidics and Plasmonics

38
- In order to improve the -Nano-particles delivers
durability and bio-compatibility, treatment to targeted area or
the implant surfaces are modified targeted tumors
with nano-thin film coating
(Carbon nano-particles). - Release drugs or release
radiation to heat up and
- An artificial knee joint or hip destroy tumors or cancer cells
coated with nanoparticles bonds
to the adjacent bones more 39
 Self Powered Nanodevices and
Nanogenerators
 Nanosize devices or machined need nano-size power
generator call nanogenerators without the need of a
battery.
 Power requirements of nanodevices or nanosystems
are generally very small
– in the range of nanowatts to microwatts.
 Example: Power source for a biosensor
- Such devices may allow us to develop
implantable biosensors that can continuously monitor
human’s blood sugar level

40
 Waste energy in the form of vibrations or even the human pulse
could power tiny devices.
 Arrays of piezoelectric could capture and transmit that waste
energy to nanodevices
 There are many power sources in a human body:
- Mechanical energy, Heat energy, Vibration energy,
Chemical energy
 A small fraction of this energy can be converted into electricity
to power nano-bio devices.
 Nanogenerators can also be used for other applications
- Autonomous strain sensors for structures such as bridges
- Environmental sensors for detecting toxins
- Energy sensors for nano-robotics
- Microelectromecanical systems (MEMS) or
nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS)
- A pacemaker’s battery could be charged without
requiring any replacement
41
Nano-sensor and Nano-generator

Nano- Nano-
sensor Capacitor generator

42
 Example: Piezoelectric
Nanogenerator
Piezoelectric Effect
Some crystalline materials generates electrical
voltage when mechanically stressed
A Typical Vibration-based Piezoelectric Transducer
- Uses a two-layered beam with one end fixed
and other end mounted with a mass
- Under the action of the gravity the beam is bent
with
upper-layer subjected to tension and lower-layer
subjected to tension.
43
Conversion of Mechanical Energy to Electricity
in a Nanosystem
Gravity do not play
any role for motion
Tension Compression Tension Compression in nanoscale.

Nanowire Nanowire is flexed

Nanowire
by moving a ridged
from side to side.
Array of
nanowires (Zinc Rectangular electrode
Oxide) with with ridged underside.
piezoelectric and Moves side to side in
semiconductor response to external
properties motion of the structure
44
 Example: Thermo Electric Nano-generator

 Thermoelectric generator relies on the Seebeck Effect

where an electric potential exists at the junction of
two dissimilar metals that are at different
temperatures.

 The potential difference or the voltage produced is

proportional to the temperature difference.

- Already used in Seiko Thermic Wrist Watch

45
 Bio-Nano Generators
Questions:
1. How much and what different kind of energy
does body produce?

2. How this energy source can be utilized to

produce power.

3. What are the technological challenges?

46