Graphene from Molecular Mechanics
I will review recent results on the analysis of graphene via variational methods. The setting is that of Molecular Mechanics: carbon atoms are identified with their nuclear positions and their bonds are described via classical two- and three-body interactions. I will discuss the crystallization problem in both two and three dimensions, the mechanics of the (planar) crystal under tension, the rolling-up of free graphene patches, and the emergence of ripples in suspended samples.
Contact: francesco.bonaldi@polimi.it
Ulisse Stefanelli received his PhD from the University of Pavia in 2003. He has been working at the Institute for Applied Mathematics and Information Technology 'E. Magenes' of the CNR since 2001. Since 2013 he holds the chair in 'Applied Mathematics and Modeling' at the University of Vienna. His activity focuses on calculus of variations and PDEs, especially in application to Material Science.