  Understanding and mastering the mechanical properties of metallic
nanoparticles is crucial for their use in a wide range of applications. In this
context, we use atomic-scale (Molecular Dynamics) and continuous (Finite
Elements) calculations to investigate in details gold nanoparticles under
deformation. By combining these two approaches, we show that the elastic
properties of such nanoobjects are driven by their size but, above all, by
their shape. This outcome was achieved by introducing a descriptor in the
analysis of our results enabling to distinguish among the different
nanoparticle shapes studied in the present work. In addition, other
transition-metal nanoparticles have been considered (copper and platinum) using
the aforementioned approach. The same strong dependence of the elastic
properties with the shape was revealed, thus highlighting the universal
character of our achievements.
