Tunneling conduction is a phenomenon in which electrons can pass through a potential barrier that is

normally insurmountable in classical physics. This is possible because of the wave nature of electrons
and the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics. Tunneling conduction can occur in nanoscale
structures such as quantum dots, nanowires, and tunnel junctions.

To explain the effect of tunneling conduction on the nanoscale, let us consider a simple example of a
nanowire connected to two metal electrodes. The nanowire acts as a quantum well, where the electrons
are confined in one dimension. The metal electrodes act as reservoirs of electrons with different
chemical potentials. When a voltage is applied across the electrodes, there is an electric field that lowers
the potential barrier at the ends of the nanowire. This allows some electrons to tunnel from one
electrode to the other through the nanowire, creating a tunneling current. The tunneling current
depends on the voltage, the length and width of the nanowire, the shape and height of the potential
barrier, and the quantum states of the electrons in the nanowire.

The tunneling conduction in nanoscale structures has some interesting features that are different from
the classical Ohm’s law. For example:

- The tunneling current is not proportional to the voltage, but follows an exponential or power-law
dependence. This means that the tunneling resistance is not constant, but varies with the voltage.

- The tunneling current can be modulated by changing the shape and height of the potential barrier, for
example, by applying a gate voltage or a magnetic field. This can create negative differential resistance,
where the current decreases as the voltage increases, or resonant tunneling, where the current peaks at
certain voltages that match the energy levels of the quantum well.

- The tunneling current can be affected by quantum interference effects, such as the Aharonov-Bohm
effect, where the current depends on the magnetic flux enclosed by the nanowire loop, or the Coulomb
blockade effect, where the current is suppressed by the electrostatic repulsion between the electrons in
the nanowire.

I have created a diagram of tunneling conduction in a nanowire using my graphic art tool. I hope it helps
you to visualize the concept.
Microstructural effects are the influences of the size, shape, orientation, and arrangement of the grains,
defects, and interfaces in a material on its physical and chemical properties. Microstructural effects are
especially important in nanoscale materials, where the surface-to-volume ratio is high and the grain
boundaries and interfaces play a dominant role in determining the behavior of the material.

Some examples of microstructural effects on the nanoscale are:

- The electrical conductivity of nanoscale ceria thin films depends on the grain size, grain boundary
density, and crystallographic orientation of the films. Smaller grains and higher grain boundary density
lead to lower conductivity, while the (111) orientation has higher conductivity than the (220)
orientation¹.

- The mechanical properties and wear resistance of additively manufactured CoCrNi medium entropy
alloy and 316L stainless steel depend on the energy density, microstructure heterogeneity, and
crystallographic texture of the materials. Higher energy density leads to larger grains and lower interface
resistance, resulting in higher strength and lower wear rate. The (111) plane has higher strength and
lower wear rate than the (220) plane².

- The nanoparticle size affects the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of nanoparticle
assemblies. Smaller nanoparticles have higher strength and ductility, and exhibit different failure modes
such as nanoparticle dislodging, shear-band formation, and cracking³.

- The brittle-to-ductile transition and theoretical strength of a metal-organic framework glass depend on
the pillar size and loading direction. Smaller pillars have higher strength and ductility, and show a
transition from brittle to ductile behavior as the pillar size decreases. The loading direction also affects
the fracture mode and strength of the material⁴.

To illustrate these effects, I have created a diagram of microstructural effects on the nanoscale using my
graphic art tool. I hope it helps you to understand the concept better.