Nano- and Micro-Mechanics of Soft Condensed Matter

Book excerpt: Enables readers to understand how contact mechanics techniques are used to establish the material properties of soft condensed matter The application of contact mechanics methods to soft condensed matter, such as polymers and soft biological materials, is the main focus of this book. By understanding the fundamentals of contact mechanics methods, readers will be able to characterize the mechanical behavior of polymers, gels, and biological materials at the microscale and nanoscale. To provide a thorough background to the subject, the first section of the book covers the background theory associated with elasticity, viscoelasticity, and poroelasticity, providing a complete foundation for extending concepts to small scale mechanics of soft solids. Following this, the authors present quasistatic and dynamic indentation methods in general before exploring various methods for contact experiments at the microscale and nanoscale and their practical considerations. Because a number of complementary non-contact techniques are also used for similar purposes, a section at the end of the book is devoted to alternative methods. This ensures that readers comprehend the subject of nanomechanics and micromechanics of soft condensed matter overall. Thoroughly covers methods in the emerging and interdisciplinary field of nanomechanics of soft materials Discusses and evaluates current experimental approaches for extracting the required mechanical properties from polymers and biomaterials Describes the theories of contact of soft deformable materials and how the materials properties depend on time and rate of deformation. Takes an advanced approach ideal for academic researchers, professionals and practitioners, as well as for graduate students with a mechanics of materials specialization