Abstract

Graphene and other low-dimensional materials are a fantastic playground both for fundamental and applied sciences: for the former, to reach beyond the laws of continuum mechanics and expand the realm of bulk materials and, for the latter, to unlock new potential breakthroughs in areas ranging from single-molecule sensors to hydrogen storage and water filtration. In this review, we explore the physical origins of the unique mechanical properties of mono- and few-layer graphene. For instance, bending resistance builds up in monolayer graphene through pi-orbital misalignment but does not involve any elastic strain, in stark contrast with its bulk counterpart. In addition, thermal fluctuations and physical defects renormalize the effective mechanical behavior of graphene. We then review the various wrinkling processes observed in graphene systems, thermally activated self-tearing, thermal expansion or lattice mismatch, and adsorbate-induced spontaneous curvature, and discuss their relevance in technological applications. The uniqueness of graphene properties presented here showcases the broad range of disciplines impacted by the (just nucleated) birth of 2D systems.