ElasTool v3.0: Efficient computational and visualization toolkit for elastic and mechanical properties of materials

Abstract

Efficient computation and visualization of elastic and mechanical properties are crucial in the selection of materials and the design of new materials. The ElasTool v3.0 toolkit marks a significant advancement in the computational analysis and visualization of elastic and mechanical properties of materials, essential in material selection and design. This enhanced version extends beyond standard calculations like elastic tensor, Young's modulus, bulk modulus, and Poisson's ratio. It introduces capabilities for computing minimum thermal conductivity, linear compressibility, rendering the Christoffel equation, and elastic energy density. Notably, it integrates advanced visualization tools, including compatibility with Plotly and Elate web platforms for interactive web-based property exploration. A key feature of ElasTool v3.0 is the implementation of second-order elastic constants (SOECs) for tubular 2D-based nanostructures and nanotubes. Leveraging high-efficiency strain-matrix sets (OHESS), the toolkit now facilitates efficient computation of elastic constants and mechanical properties at both zero and finite temperatures for 1D, 2D, and 3D dimensions. ElasTool is openly accessible on GitHub: https://github.com/elastool. Program summaryProgram Title: ElasTool v3.0CPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/9hpgmspfmk.1Licensing provisions: GNU General Public License, version 3Programming language: Python 3Nature of problem: A computational toolkit that can efficiently compute the elastic and mechanical properties of materials using ab initio methods and provide advanced visualization capabilities is crucial to accurate material analysis.Solution method:ElasTool addresses this need by incorporating high-efficiency strain-matrix sets that require only small strain sets with ab initio methods such as density functional theory and molecular dynamics. This package is versatile and adept at calculating elastic constants for both 2D and 3D structures, including tubular 2D-based nanostructures and nanotubes and 1D nanoribbons at zero and finite temperatures. Beyond basic elastic moduli, ElasTool now boasts advanced visualization capabilities and computes additional critical properties such as minimum thermal conductivity, elastic energy density, and linear compressibility. This enhancement transforms ElasTool into a comprehensive tool for accelerated material design and modeling, and advanced visualization, offering both efficiency and depth in material property analysis.Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features:ElasTool is currently integrated with the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package (VASP). Adapting to other electronic structures is straightforward.ElasTool offers serial and parallel execution. Depending on the system size, the number of strains, the nature of the calculations (zero or finite temperature), and the computing architecture, the computing time can vary from a minute to as long as 15 hours.