Synthesis and Tribological Characterization of Novel Superhard Coatings of Corbin Nitride

一种新型涂层在“探索性研究小额资助”（SGER）奖下合成。它是一种亚稳化合物，似乎是氮化碳，似乎具有不寻常的摩擦学性能。理论预测，它的硬度应该比已知最硬的材料——金刚石还要大。根据目前的奖励，将进行系统的研究，以优化沉积工艺的摩擦学性能，并充分评估这种新型涂层材料的成分、微观结构和摩擦磨损行为。

A novel coating has been synthesized under a "Small Grants for Exploratory Research" (SGER) award. It is a metastable compound, which appears to be carbon nitride and which appears to have unusual tribological properties. Theory predicts that is should have hardness greater than that of diamond, the hardest known materials. Under the present award a systematic study will be undertaken to optimize the deposition process for tribological performance and to fully evaluate the composition, microstructure and friction and wear behavior of this novel coating material.