www.nanopicoftheday.org
March 24, 2004
Nanotribology
Source:
Martin Dienwiebel
References:
- "A Novel
Frictional Force Microscope with 3-Dimensional Force Detection", M.
Dienwiebel, J. A. Heimberg, T. Zijlstra, E. van der Drift, D. J. Spaanderman,
E. de Kuyper and J. W. M. Frenken, In: Nanotribology: Critical Assessment
and future Research needs, edited by S. Hsu, ISBN 1-4020-7298-8, (Kluwer
Academic, Boston).
-
-
"Fabrication of a Novel Scanning Probe Device for
Quantitative Nanotribology" T. Zijlstra, J.A. Heimberg, E. van der Drift, D.
Glastra van Loon, M. Dienwiebel, L.E.M. de Groot, and J.W.M. Frenken, Sensors
and Actuators A: Physical 84 (2000) 18-24
-
Description:
The Nano-Triboscope is an instrument designed to measure friction and wear down
to nanometer and nanonewton scales (a field known as nanotribology). The term
tribology derives from the Greek "tribos" meaning "to rub." Researchers in the
Netherlands looking at graphite (a well-studied lubricant) have discovered the
superlubrication effect, which probably explains why graphite is such a good
lubricant. During research into the frictional properties of the material,
they discovered that the frictional force almost completely disappeared at a
certain moment. The layers of graphite, when not perfectly aligned, can
"float" on top of each other, sliding freely. Since sprayed graphite is
randomly aligned, it is able to form a nearly perfect lubricant.
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