In many sci-fi works, a monomolecular wire – a single chain of atoms – is “sharp” enough to slice through any material, no matter how strong. Carbyne – a one-dimensional monoatomistic chain of sp-hybridized carbon atoms – reflects an extreme minimalist molecular chain. Carbyne is also known to have a relatively high axial tensile stiffness and, due to its monoatomistic cross-section, incredible specific strength and high surface area per given mass. We propose its use as a cutting instrument — e.g., a monomolecular slicing wire. Herein, we construct and model a simple arrangement of a copper nanocolumn set perpendicular to a carbyne thread. We proceed to move the wire normal to the copper surface, testing the cutting efficacy of the wire. We vary both the width of copper column, as well as the length of cutting wire, to parametrically explore cutting conditions. We further develop and validate a general energy-based mechanical model to predict cutting limits, enabling predictions for other material systems, based on a simple energy balance, resulting in a simple relation for critical cutting “stroke”.

在许多科幻作品中，单分子线-原子的单链-足够“锋利”，可以穿透任何材料，无论强度如何。卡宾（Carbyne）是sp杂化碳原子的一维单原子链，反映了极简主义的分子链。众所周知，卡宾具有相对较高的轴向拉伸刚度，并且由于其单原子的横截面，每单位质量具有令人难以置信的比强度和高表面积。我们建议将其用作切割工具，例如单分子切片线。在本文中，我们构造并建模了垂直于卡宾螺纹的铜纳米柱的简单排列。我们继续将导线垂直于铜表面移动，以测试导线的切割效果。我们会改变铜柱的宽度和切割线的长度，以参数方式探索切削条件。我们进一步开发和验证通用的基于能量的机械模型，以预测切削极限，从而基于简单的能量平衡对其他材料系统进行预测，从而为关键切削“行程”建立简单关系。