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PUBLICATIONS

Nano-Lubrication: Concept and Design

Published

Author(s)

Stephen M. Hsu

Abstract

The advent of micro-electromechanical devices (MEMs), sensors, actuators, microsystems, and nanotechnology have called to attention the effect of friction on moving parts in nano/microdevices. To take full advantage of the opportunity to sense, compute, and actuate in real time, fast-moving parts are often necessary or desirable. As the scales of the components shrink, adhesion, sitction, friction, and wear become a significant technological barrier for the successful deployment of durable devices. Most current devices in production avoid such contacts.The nature of the surface contacts, as component scale moves from macro to micro to nano, is dominated by surface forces that normally are dwarfed by mechanical loading. Therefore nanolubrication needs to take into account of different factors as compared to conventional lubrication concepts. This paper compares traditional lubrication concepts and that necessary for nanolubrication and proposes various nanometer scale thick lubricating film designs as a means to control the surface properties of surfaces at nano/micro scales.Many of the concepts derive their origin from studies and observations from the magnetic hard disk technology where a monolayer of lubricant protects the system and has proven to be robust and safe. Examples from magnetic hard disks will be used to illustrate some of the concepts.
Citation
Nano-Lubrication: Concept and Design
Publisher Info
Nanotribology: Critical Assessment and Future Research Needs Invited Chapter in Nanotribology: Critical Assessment and Future Research Needs, edited by S.M. Hsu, Kluwer Academic Press,
Pub Type
Books

Keywords

adhesion, monomolecular layer lubrication, nano-lubrication, oxidation, traditional lubrication
Biomaterials and Ceramics

Citation

Hsu, S. (2001), Nano-Lubrication: Concept and Design, Nanotribology: Critical Assessment and Future Research Needs Invited Chapter in Nanotribology: Critical Assessment and Future Research Needs, edited by S.M. Hsu, Kluwer Academic Press, (Accessed May 4, 2024)

Created January 1, 2001, Updated February 19, 2017