THERMAL STRESS AROUND AN ARBITRARY SHAPED NANOHOLE WITH SURFACE ELASTICITY IN A THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL

摘要

In response to the significance of the role of surface mechanics in continuum models of deformation at the nanoscale, we consider the thermal stress distribution in the vicinity of an arbitrarily shaped nanohole in a thermoelectric material by incorporating the contribution of surface elasticity. Accordingly, we develop specific solutions describing the corresponding electric, temperature and elastic fields in the material. Our results indicate that the contribution of surface elasticity is to generate considerable normal and shear stress and to significantly influence hoop stress on the boundary of the nanohole. By controlling the electric current applied to the material, the normal and shear stresses induced by surface elasticity can be enhanced or decreased for various shaped nanoholes. It is also worth noting that the incorporation of surface elasticity allows for the ability to suppress the maximum value of the von Mises stress on the boundary of an arbitrarily shaped nanohole, particularly in the case of a triangular-shaped hole in which case the maximum von Mises stress can be suppressed by up to 35% thereby dramatically improving the reliability of the corresponding thermoelectric device. Our investigations provide an important theoretical basis for the design and manufacture of thermoelectric materials.