Theoretical Analysis of Mechanical Properties for Elements at Nano-scale

For effective product design, knowledge of material properties is essential. The measurement of material properties at nano-scale presents a challenge as its either not cost-effective or it is computation-intensive. As found in literature, for an accurate estimate of mechanical properties ultra-sonic methods in combination with particle in a box model has been employed. In this paper, we have attempted to establish a method for accurate estimates of material properties of elements based on basic physics. We have calculated the mean ultra-sonic velocity at nano-scale for Al, Au and Ag using Debye temperatures found in literature. These velocities were then used to theoretically compute and compare the mechanical properties of these elements at the bulk and nano-scales respectively. Analysis of lattice parameters at nano-scale was also performed using particle in a box model and it was found that all the three elements had a lattice contraction of 30%.