Dynamic energy dissipation using nanostructures

The emerging subject of mechanical impact protection at nanoscale where solids, fluids interact closely, has raised many multi-disciplinary and challenging questions which cannot be answered by the analogy from their macroscopic counterparts. A series of counterintuitive phenomena have been observed without further profound theoretical explanations. It is pretty straightforward to take advantage of these novel properties for fascinating applications which cannot be achieved by traditional materials and structures. Among various exciting areas, one of the most promising and ever expanding topics is the impact protection at nanoscale. Primarily inspired by the excellent mechanical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT), a water-filled CNT system for impact protection is designed. The nanoconfined water molecules enhance the stiffness of the tube and also help to stabilize the tube such that the buckling force and the post-buckling plateau is higher than empty CNTs, indicating a much higher energy dissipation performance. Also, the energy dissipation performance is dependent on the aspect ratio which is similar in its bulk counterpart. Additional support may come from adjacent tubes in C