Introduction: General

This lecture introduces the concept of scaling laws and simulations in micro and nanosystems, covering mechanical, thermal, electrostatic, electromagnetic, microfluidics, and failure mechanisms. It discusses the motivation for miniaturization, objectives of the course, and the breakdown of phenomena at smaller scales. The lecture also explores quick overviews in the mechanical and electrical domains, continuum breakdown in down-scaling, downscaling particles, and quantum-like breakdown effects.