Nanotechnology in

Mechanical Engineering

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 Major Topics in Mechanical Engineering
◼ Mechanics:

Statics : Deals with forces, Moments, equilibrium of a stationary body

Dynamics: Deals with body in motion - velocity, acceleration, torque, momentum, angular
momentum.

◼ Structure and properties of material (Including strengths)

◼ Thermodynamics, power generation, alternate energy (power plants, solar, wind,

geothermal, engines)

▪ Design of machines and structures

▪Dynamics system, sensors and controls
▪ Robotics
▪Computer-Aided Design (CAD/CAM)
▪Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Method
▪Fabrication and Manufacturing processes
Length Scales in Sciences and Mechanics
- Quantum Mechanics: Deals with atoms
- Molecular Mechanics: Molecular Networks
- Nanomechanics: Nano-Materials
- Micromechanics:
- Macro-mechanic:
Continuum substance
1-Quantum and Molecular Mechanics
▪ All substances are composed of molecules or atoms in random motion.
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◼ For a system consisting of cube of 25-mm on each side and containing gas with 10 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 viewpoint, we need to deal with
at least 6  1020equations.
◼ There are two approaches to handle this situations: Microscopic or Macroscopic model
◼ This is quite a computational task even with the most powerful (massively parallel multiple
processors) computer available today.
2-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 viewpoint

◼ Consider gross or average behavior of a number of molecules

◼ 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.

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 Nanotechnology in Mechanical Engineering

New Basic Concepts

Nano-fluidics
Nano-Mechanics Nano-Scale
Heat Transfer

Applications
▪Structural materials
▪Nano devices and sensors Applications
▪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
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.
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.
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 and aircrafts.

▪ 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 pplication in microelectronics for semiconductor
devices.

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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 creating increased
surface area per unit volume.

▪ Decrease in grain size causes increase in volumetric fraction of grain boundaries, which
leads to changes in fundamental properties of materials.

Different behavior of atoms at surface has been observed than atom at interior.
Structural and compositional differences between bulk material and nanomaterial cause
change in properties.
▪ 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 and in new manufacturing technologies.
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:
- Stable metals: Au, cu
- Carbon: carbon nanotubes (SWNTs, MWNTs),
diamond, graphite, fullerene, Amorphous Carbon
- Polymers : Teflon
Nanoparticle size: 1-100 nm Al 2 O 3 ZrO2 SiO 2 Fe 3O 4
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.
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
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
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..
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
Nano-sensor and Nano-generator

Nano- Nano-
sensor Capacitor generator

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.

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