Nanotechnologies utilize physical and chemical properties which arise by shrinking a material in size to the nanometer length scale. The structural stability of nanoscale building blocks is a central aspect in nanoscience as it governs the long-term stability of a device. Function, however, is only achieved once a device is energized, which is why nanotechnologies require materials which are structurally stable under operation conditions.
On the atomic level, the structure is prone to ultrafast motions that [more...]