micromechanicsn.
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)mᵻˈkanɪks/, U.S. /ˈˌmaɪkroʊməˈkænɪks/ 1. Science. The mechanics of small-scale physical systems.
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1940 W. Wilson Theoret. Physics III. xii. 235 We have approached the subject of the mechanics of very small scale physical systems from the starting-point of the remarkable analogy between classical dynamics and geometrical optics... Micromechanics emerged when we expanded the analogy beyond the limits of geometrical optics.
1945 Q. Rev. Biol. 20 336/1 The micro-mechanics of nerve regeneration and repair.
1950 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 36 488 It is not assumed that the cut and the introduced means do not disturb the microstructure and micromechanics of the material.
1989 Acta Otolaryngologica Suppl. 467 in Otolaryngol. Ad Referendum (1990) 5 221 Effects of caffeine on the micromechanics of the isolated cochlea.
1998 Jrnl. Biomech. Engin. 120 112 The micromechanics of the fracture process in osteonal cortical bone.
2. Manufacturing Technology. The branch of technology concerned with the design, construction, and use of very small machines or of small objects undergoing mechanical motion; spec. the production and use of micromachines.
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1986 Business Week 17 Mar. 88 These engineers are pioneering a discipline called micromechanics, bringing a new dimension to the silicon chips that spawned the computer age.
1991 Internat. Wristwatch Aug. 46/4 An extensive chapter describing the technology used in the watch, together with precise descriptions of its functions and illustrations of most of the original diagrams, will fascinate anyone with an interest in micromechanics.
1993 Rotarian June 10/2 Micromechanics, the use of tiny machinery such as sensors and actuators for work in industry and medicine.
1999 New Scientist 13 Feb. 90/2 (advt.) Applicants with..a background in micro-mechanics development are preferred.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1940