Design and characterization of a low temperature gradient and large displacement thermal actuators for in situ mechanical testing of nanoscale materials

This paper reports in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tensile testing of carbonlinked graphene oxide nanosheets using a monolithic TEM compatible microelectromechanical system device. The set-up allows direct on-chip nanosheet thickness mapping, high resolution electron beam linking of a pre-fractured nanosheet, and mechanical tensile testing of the nanosheet. This technique enables simultaneous mechanical and high energy electron beam characterization of 2D nanomaterials.