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Dynamic Solidification in Nanoconfined Water Films

Shah H. Khan, George Matei, Shivprasad Patil, and Peter M. Hoffmann
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 106101 – Published 30 August 2010
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Abstract

Mechanical properties of nanoconfined water layers are still poorly understood and continue to create controversy, despite their importance for biology and nanotechnology. We report on dynamic nanomechanical measurements of water films compressed to a few single molecular layers. We show that the mechanical properties of nanoconfined water layers change significantly with their dynamic state. In particular, we observed a sharp transition from viscous to elastic response even at extremely slow compression rates, indicating that mechanical relaxation times increase dramatically once water is compressed to less than 3–4 molecular layers.

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  • Received 16 June 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.106101

© 2010 The American Physical Society

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Confined liquid controversies near closure?

Published 30 August 2010

New experiments resolve differences in measuring the viscosity of liquids confined to thin films at the molecular level.

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Authors & Affiliations

Shah H. Khan1, George Matei1, Shivprasad Patil2, and Peter M. Hoffmann1,*

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA
  • 2Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411021, India

  • *hoffmann@wayne.edu

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Issue

Vol. 105, Iss. 10 — 3 September 2010

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