Discussions of energy dissipation during friction processes have captured the attention of engineers and scientists for over 300 years. Why then do we know so little about either dissipation or friction processes? A simple answer is that we cannot see what is taking place at the interface during sliding. Recently, however, devices such as the atomic force microscope have been used to perform friction measurements, characterize contact conditions, and even describe the worn surface. Following these and other experimental developments, friction modeling at the atomic level particularly molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has brought scientists a step closer to seeing what takes place during sliding contact. With these investigations have come some answers and new questions about the modes and mechanisms of energy dissipation at the sliding interface. This article will review recent theoretical and experimental studies of friction processes at the atomic scale. Theoretical treatments range from simple, analytical models of two-dimensional, coupled ball-spring systems at 0 K, to more complex MD simulations of three-dimensional arrays of hydrogen- and hydrocarbon-terminated surfaces at finite temperatures. Results are presented for the simplest yet most practical cases of sliding contact: sliding without wear. Sliding without friction is seen in weakly interacting systems. Simple models can easily explain the energetics of such friction processes, but MD studies are needed to explore the dynamics excitation modes, energy pathways, of thermally excited atoms interacting in three-dimensional fields. These studies provide the first atomic-scale models for anisotropic friction and boundary lubrication. Friction forces at atomic interfaces must ultimately be measured at the macroscopic level; these measurements, which depend on the mechanical properties of the measuring system, are discussed. Two rather unique experimental studies of friction are also reviewed.

This book discusses dissipative phenomena, in particular the origins of friction at all scales, in mechanics, physics and chemistry, encountered in all fields of tribology, from thick film lubrication to dry friction.

This comprehensive handbook has become the definitive reference work in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, and this 4th edition incorporates a number of recent new developments. It integrates nanofabrication, nanomaterials, nanodevices, nanomechanics, nanotribology, materials science, and reliability engineering knowledge in just one volume. Furthermore, it discusses various nanostructures; micro/nanofabrication; micro/nanodevices and biomicro/nanodevices, as well as scanning probe microscopy; nanotribology and nanomechanics; molecularly thick films; industrial applications and nanodevice reliability; societal, environmental, health and safety issues; and nanotechnology education. In this new edition, written by an international team of over 140 distinguished experts and put together by an experienced editor with a comprehensive understanding of the field, almost all the chapters are either new or substantially revised and expanded, with new topics of interest added. It is an essential resource for anyone working in the rapidly evolving field of key technology, including mechanical and electrical engineers, materials scientists, physicists, and chemists.

Friction-vibration interactions are common but important phenomena in science and engineering. Handbook of Friction-Vibration Interactions introduces the principles and provides the resources to understand and work with them. A unified theoretical framework includes some of the most important engineering applications. The first three chapters in the book introduce basic concepts and analytical methods of friction and vibration. The fourth chapter presents the general principles on friction-vibration interactions, and also touches on various engineering applications. In the fifth chapter the concepts and methods are extended to some of the most critical engineering applications in high-tech industry, presenting the friction-vibration interaction principle and applications in data storage systems. Covers a key topic in science and engineering, with applications in daily life Introduces the principles of friction-vibration interactions Analyzes, presents experiments, and treats real systems ranging from nano to micro to macro scales

This volume serves as a timely, practical introduction to the principles of nanotribology and nanomechanics and applications to magnetic storage systems and MEMS/NEMS. Assuming some familiarity with macrotribology/mechanics, the book comprises chapters by internationally recognized experts, who integrate knowledge of the field from the mechanics and materials-science perspectives. Graduate students, research workers, and practicing engineers will find the book of value.

The word tribology was fIrst reported in a landmark report by P. Jost in 1966 (Lubrication (Tribology)--A Report on the Present Position and Industry's Needs, Department of Education and Science, HMSO, London). Tribology is the science and technology of two interacting surfaces in relative motion and of related subjects and practices. The popular equivalent is friction, wear and lubrication. The economic impact of the better understanding of tribology of two interacting surfaces in relative motion is known to be immense. Losses resulting from ignorance of tribology amount in the United States alone to about 6 percent of its GNP or about $200 billion dollars per year (1966), and approximately one-third of the world's energy resources in present' use, appear as friction in one form or another. A fundamental understanding of the tribology of the head-medium interface in magnetic recording is crucial to the future growth of the $100 billion per year information storage industry. In the emerging microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) industry, tribology is also recognized as a limiting technology. The advent of new scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques (starting with the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope in 1981) to measure surface topography, adhesion, friction, wear, lubricant-fIlm thickness, mechanical properties all on a micro to nanometer scale, and to image lubricant molecules and the availability of supercomputers to conduct atomic-scale simulations has led to the development of a new fIeld referred to as Microtribology, Nanotribology, or Molecular Tribology (see B. Bhushan, J. N. Israelachvili and U.

Written by one of the most distinguished scientists and a pioneer in this field, this monograph represents a stand-alone, concise guide to friction at the atomic level. It brings together hitherto widely-scattered information in one single source, and is the first to explain the nature of friction in terms of atomistic mechanisms. In addition to his detailed description on modeling and simulation, the author stresses experimental approaches like AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) techniques for verification of theory. In this respect the book will benefit the whole nanotribology community, from graduate students who want to get the basics right up to researchers specializing in mechanical engineering, materials science, physics and chemistry.