Thermo-electro-mechanical behaviour of Nano-sized structures

Miroslav� Repka ,L Sator

doi:10.1051/matecconf/202031000060

Abstract

Thermo-electro-mechanical behaviour of the nano-sized structures is analysed by the finite element method (FEM). The mechanical response of the nano-sized structures cannot be modelled with classical continuum theories due to the size effect phenomenon. The strain gradient theory with one length scale parameter has been applied to study size effect phenomenon. The coupled theory of thermo-electricity has been used together with strain gradient theory of elasticity. The governing equations have been derived and incorporated into the commercial software Comsol via weak form module. The influence of the length scale parameter on mechanical response of the structures is investigated by some numerical examples.

Highlights

In the small scale energy harvesting devices the thermo-electric materials are conveniently utilized to convert thermal energy into the electrical through so called Seebeck effect
Applications of classical continuum mechanics theories is insufficient to describe size effect phenomenon which has been experimentally observed in nano-sized structures [4,5,6]
The strain gradient elasticity theory has been applied in order to describe size effect phenomenon

Summary

Introduction

In the small scale energy harvesting devices the thermo-electric materials are conveniently utilized to convert thermal energy into the electrical through so called Seebeck effect. Due to the lack of length scale information in classical continuum theories, the results are size independent To this end strain gradient elasticity theory can be applied in order to model size effect phenomenon in thermo-electromechanical nano-sized structures. It is the aim of this paper to study thermo-electromechanical behaviour of the nano-sized structures. For this purpose the finite element method [7] has been utilized to solve related boundary value problem and investigate influence of the size effect parameter on mechanical response of the structure.

Equations and mathematics

Numerical results

Conclusion