Size-dependent effects of surface elasticity in thin films and nanostructures

At nano-length scales, due to the increasing surface-to-volume ratio, surface effects become prominent and induce a size dependency in the otherwise size-independent classical elasticity solutions. The Surface Eshelby Tensor for nano-inhomogeneities is derived and its effects illustrated for sample problems. The effects of surface energies, tension and stresses on the size-dependent elastic state of embedded inhomogeneities are investigated in nanocomposites, quantum dots, and thin films. Our results indicate that surface elasticity can significantly alter the fundamental nature of the mechanical state at nano-meter length scales with consequent impact on mechanical and optoelectronic properties of nanostructures and materials with nano-sized features.