NANOWAVE · Dynamics of nano-electromechanical waveguides: A computational multi-physics framework

Dynamics of nano-electromechanical waveguides: A computational multi-physics framework

Advances in nanotechnology have transformed the design of sensors, communication platforms, and energy devices, yet the mechanical and acoustic behaviour at the nanoscale remains one of the most complex challenges in modern physics and engineering. Conventional continuum models fail to capture nanoscale effects where nonlocal interactions, surface interactions, and lattice discreteness play significant roles. The NANOWAVE project responds to this scientific gap by developing an advanced computational framework for analysing the dynamic performance of nano-electromechanical waveguides (NEWs). These miniature structures, typically fabricated from graphene and carbon nanotubes, can guide, modulate, and filter energy and information at molecular dimensions, forming the foundation for next-generation technologies in sensing, signal processing, and nanoscale energy management. Despite their vast potential, NEWs are difficult to study experimentally due to fabrication costs and measurement limitations. Furthermore, existing numerical models are unable to reproduce their size-dependent stiffness and dynamic responses. To address these barriers, NANOWAVE proposes a unified multi-physics approach that merges second strain gradient (SSG) elasticity theory—a higher-order continuum formulation that captures microstructural effects—with homogenisation theory, which condenses complex atomistic configurations into equivalent, computationally efficient models. The overarching objective of the project is to create a numerical platform capable of accurately predicting the wave transmission characteristics of nanoscale systems. The project is structured around three specific aims: 1. Modelling simple unit cells: Establishing analytical and numerical models for single-layer graphene waveguides under mechanical and electrical excitation. 2. Modelling complex unit cells: Extending the analysis to multilayer and hybrid structures, including graphene–nanotube composites, while considering van der Waals interactions. 3. Dynamic analysis and simulation: Implementing the developed formulations and validating the predictions against literature. 4. Scientifically, NANOWAVE provides insight into nanoscale wave transmission, highlighting higher-order wave modes, stiffness hardening, and multi-modal coupling. Technologically, the framework serves as a design and optimisation tool for ultra-sensitive nanosensors and efficient energy-harvesting devices, directly supporting the EU’s strategic priorities in advanced materials, digitalisation, and green innovation.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union