Abstract:

In this talk, I will discuss some recent results of our theoretical modelling of rolling friction at the nanoscale. The system studied is a single nanoparticle placed between two surfaces, one stationary and the other pulled at a constant velocity and pressed down by a normal load. This system, although simple, can exhibit non-trivial and counterintuitive behaviour. It can exist in three principle friction states, viz. the rolling state, superlubric state of practically zero friction, and the high-friction state. The nature of these friction regimes will be examined, the state diagram will be presented, and various switching and hysteresis effects will be predicted and explained.


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http: //www.physik.uni-bielefeld.de/~mykhaylo/publications.html