Wiktionary
strain energy
n. (context physics English) The potential energy stored in a body due to elastic deformation
Wikipedia
Strain energy
In physics, strain energy is the energy stored by a system undergoing deformation. When the load is removed, strain energy is:
$U = \frac 1 2 V \sigma \epsilon = \frac 1 2 V E \epsilon^2 = \frac 1 2 \frac V E \sigma^2$
where σ is stress, ε is strain, V is volume, and E is Young's modulus:
$E = \frac \sigma \epsilon$
Usage examples of "strain energy".
Since they can store a lot of strain energy, they are the heart of the nanomotors, artificial muscles, and slight engines that make morphobots so infinitely adaptable.
Crustal strain energy is being released at a rate I've never experienced.