  We develop and solve a continuum theory for the piezoelectric response of one
dimensional nanotubes and nanowires, and apply the theory to study
electromechanical effects in BN nanotubes. We find that the polarization of a
nanotube depends on its aspect ratio, and a dimensionless constant specifying
the ratio of the strengths of the elastic and electrostatic interactions. The
solutions of the model as these two parameters are varied are discussed. The
theory is applied to estimate the electric potential induced along the length
of a BN nanotube in response to a uniaxial stress.
