New Vista on Friction: Superlubricity and Atomistics of Friction

Dear Colleagues,

Friction is a phenomenon observed ubiquitously in daily life, yet its nature is complicated.

Recent studies have tried to explore the origin of friction from atomistic viewpoints. A theory in which superlubricity with vanishing friction during certain types of contact between surfaces has been proposed, bringing a new vista in research on friction. Experiments are being conducted worldwide, and international workshops on superlubricity are being held in various venues. Experiments to find how losses from friction can be minimized are now being conducted from the viewpoints of atomistic theory. Superlubricity, where friction effectively becomes vanishing, occurs when the ratio of lattice parameters in the pair of surfaces becomes an irrational number. Structural superlubricity initially has been found to exist in a limited number of systems, but is a very important phenomenon in the industry. New atomistic research on friction is underway, with the aim of refining theoretical models that consider interactions between atoms beyond mean field theory and experiments using ultrahigh vacuum non-contact atomic force microscopy.

For increasing applications of nano-mechanical devices, friction between contacting parts of surfaces has become a crucial factor in determining their performances and the lifetime of severe energy dissipation and material loss. The concept of superlubricity has recently received much interest after the demonstration of ultralow friction in various systems such as atomically smooth interfaces in layered materials, nanoscale linear bearings consisting of multiwall carbon nanotubes, miniature ball bearings formed by graphene wrapping nanodiamond particles, hydrogen-mediated superlubricity systems of diamond-like carbon surfaces, and liquid-mediated superlubricity systems such as the compound systems of diamond-like carbon surface and specific lubricant oil.

This Special Issue exclusively focuses on the latest progress in the field of superlubricity, such as structural superlubricity, hydrogen-mediated superlubricity, and liquid-mediated superlubricity. Contributions from both academic and industrial research are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Motohisa Hirano
Guest Editor

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