Modeling and simulation of multiferroic nanostructures with surface effects

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Chuanzeng Zhang
• Subject Area: Mechanics
• Term: from 2011 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 198320462

This project is focused on the static and dynamic analyses of multiferroic or magnetoelecroelasticnanostructures, in which the coexistence of several order parameters leads to novel physical phenomena and therefore offers the possibilities for design novel multi-functional structures and devices. In particular, the overall mechanical behavior of multiferroic structures at the nanoscale could be totally different from that of their macroscopic counterpart, since surface effects in these structures and devices with a high surface-to-volume ratio play a crucial role and cannot be neglected. Hence, the traditional or classical continuum theories without surface effects may become invalid. The main objectives of the present project are to develop systematically onedimensional and two-dimensional simplified structural theories for multiferroic nanostructures incorporating surface effects, which will be verified by an efficient and accurate numerical simulation tool based on the boundary integral equation or boundary element method. The primary goal of the project is to gain a better understanding and a deeper insight into the mechanical behavior of multiferroic nanostructures and their magnetoelectric effects, all being very important for the design of multiferroic nanostructures. The simplified structural theories and the numerical simulation tool can be conveniently applied to obtain optimized multi-functional multiferroic devices with high performances for innovative engineering applications such as sensors and energy harvesters.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants