This is a comprehensive text on elastic domain structures in nano-materials (thin films, nano-rods and nano-crystals), which presents the theory and experimental results together with the formulation of the principles of design of such structures. The examples and solved problems presented in the textbook will allow readers to develop skills necessary for practical application of the theoretical models presented within. The book demonstrates how unusual thermodynamic properties of adaptive composites, including a negative elastic modulus at the strain controlled deformation and a thermodynamic hysteresis at the stress controlled deformation can be controlled by the change of a relative thickness and elastic properties of component layers. Such materials with adaptive equilibrium micro/nano-structures play an increasingly more important role in modern technology in materials such as thin films, nano-rods and nano-crystals and other advanced materials for energy harvesting.

Alexander Roytburd is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland, U.S.A.

Andrei Artemev is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University, Canada.

Jun Ouyang is a Professor at Suzhou Institute of Shandong University, China.