Developement of friction experiments by direct atomic observation

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26630032
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Design engineering/Machine functional elements/Tribology
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: KIZUKA Tokuji 筑波大学, 数理物質系, 教授 (10234303)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 摩擦 / 摩耗 / 電子顕微鏡 / その場観察 / ナノマシン / 凝着 / 剪断能力 / 垂直抗力

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed for the first time a new type of experimental method based on in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy to investigate atomic motion and mechanical response during friction. We observed elemental processes of friction at the atomic scale and elucidated the mechanism. In addition, we focused the friction of individual nanometer-sized contacts, and established the application method to the fundamental study and the development of nanometer-sized mechanical devices. Thus, we performed the mechanics of materials in the atomic world, i.e., in situ atomistic structural observation, the manipulation, and measurements. We established the experimental methodology of study on atomic scale friction and applied to nanotechnology relating to friction.

Free Research Field

ナノ工学