| Materials with critical dimension in the nanometer regime have demonstrated superior mechanical properties, including high strength, high hardness, and surface mechanical properties such as low friction and good wear resistance. These superior mechanical properties stem from the density, structure, chemistry, and energetics of interfaces in nanometer scale materials and from the way these interfaces interact with deformation-induced defects. In this thesis, we discuss three types of interfaces, the sliding contact interface between two pieces materials, grain boundaries (GBs) inside materials, and interfaces of nanolayered composite materials. |
