Description: The mechanical behavior of films, particulates, and other small volumes of materials routinely deviates from what is observed in bulk forms. Similarly, finely structured materials (e.g., metals with nanoscale grain morphologies) exhibit unexpected responses to an applied stress. However, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of deformation, fracture, fatigue, and time-dependent degradation processes is still quite limited. This symposium will explore the ultimate performance limits of films and nanomaterials intended for micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) and macroscopic structural applications. Authors with an interest in experimental and/or computational mechanical behavior research are encouraged to participate.