Collaborative Research: Atomic-scale study of friction for nano-electromechanical structures

这项研究的目的是了解原子和介观尺度上的摩擦。 在这个层面上，人们对摩擦的了解很少，尽管随着机械和机电设备的缩小，摩擦的影响变得占主导地位。 该方法是将联合收割机灵敏的摩擦力测量与能够确定两个表面上单个原子位置的最先进的显微镜和衍射技术相结合。智力优点：几十年来，技术一直依赖于电气和机械系统的进一步小型化。 在目前通过最先进的制造技术可达到的纳米尺寸尺度上，摩擦力（和静摩擦力）比诸如重力的力大几个数量级。在纳米尺度上对摩擦的基本理解对于未来纳米技术的设计和工程至关重要。碳纳米管将被用作几乎没有悬挂键和缺陷的模型表面，并将提供与理论和计算模型进行比较的数据。除了这项工作的科学影响外，这项研究的结果还将支持未来工作场所机电设备作为传感器的技术进步，这项工作中的器件结构应该为下一代纳米电子和机械器件提供测试平台。 这项工作的另一个有益的“副作用”将是培养下一代科学家。 代表性不足的群体越来越多地参与社会发展，这将涟漪社会的未来。

Washburn and PaulsonThe objective of this research is to understand friction at the atomic and mesoscopic scales. At this level friction is poorly understood, though as mechanical and electromechanical devices shrink, the effects of friction become dominant. The approach is to combine sensitive frictional force measurements with state of the art microscopy and diffraction techniques capable of determining the positions of individual atoms on both surfaces.Intellectual merit: For decades technology has relied on the further miniaturization of electrical and mechanical systems. At nanometer size scales currently attainable by state of the art fabrication techniques, friction (andstiction) is orders of magnitude larger than forces such as gravity. A fundamental understanding of friction at the nanometer length scale is crucial to design and engineering in future nanoscale technologies. Carbon nanotubes will be used as model surfaces nearly free of dangling bonds and defects, and will provide data to compare with theoretical and computational models.Broader Impact: Beyond the scientific impact of the work, the results of the study will underpin future technological advances toward electromechanical devices in the workplace as sensors, etc. Device structures in this work should provide testbeds for the next generation of nanometer electrical and mechanical devices. A separate beneficial "side-effect" of this work will be to launch the next generation of scientists. The increased participation of under-represented groups at UNC will ripple through the future of the society.