Effect of cross-sectional geometry on superelasticity of helical nanobelts

Abstract

The shape memory effect (SME) and the superelasticity make nanoscale chiral structures such as helical ZnO nanobelts promising for a wide range of important applications. In this paper, based on the non-linear rod model with surface effect (Wang et al, 2011), the effects of surfaces and geometrical size of the cross-section on the superelasticity of the helical nanobelts have been investigated quantitatively. Our results demonstrate the superelasticity of helical nanobelts exhibit a distinct size effect, depending on the cross-sectional geometry. We also show the efficiency of the energy storage and retrieval of the helical nanobelts induced by the superelasticity depends strongly on the cross-sectional geometry.

Keywords:

• Shape memory effect
• superelasticity
• nanobelt
• surface effects
• energy storage and retrieval

Additional information

Notes on contributors

N Li

Nan Li obtained his Bachelor Degree in Polymer Materials Science and Engineering from Shenyang University of Chemical Technology in China and is currently a master student in Department of Mechanics at Tianjin University. His master degree study is on the morphologies and properties of chiral materials.

Y Cui

Yu-Hong Cui is an A/Prof of solid mechanics and biology mechanics at Tianjin University in China. She is a member of the Biomechanics and Biorheology Committee at Biophysical Society of China, and the Visiting Fellow of National Microgravity Laboratory at Chinese Academy of Sciences.

D. Fu

Dong-hui Fu obtained his Bachelor degree in Engineering Mechanics from Tianjin University, where he also earned his Master and PhD degrees in solid mechanics. His study is focused on experimental solid mechanics and biomechanics. He became an engineer in 2001 and currently works in the Mechanical Engineering Experiment Center at Tianjin University.