This research seeks to find practical ways to reduce friction in boundary lubrication regime by a novel virtual nano-tribometer/ nano-rheometer.
Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
N/A
Successful manufacturing and application of miniaturized mechanical parts in the Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems and other nano-devices with moving parts greatly depend on our ability to reduce friction, wear and energy dissipation. That requires understanding of the atomic origins of friction, high viscosity and rigidity of confined ultra-thin lubricant films and the interplay of surface and lubricant characteristics.Various types of lubricants with nonpolar and functionalised molecules confined by realistic smooth and rough surfaces are studied through direct atomistic simulations. The project is focused on the areas related to lubrication problems in boundary level and their rheological properties, with emphasis on self assembled monolayers (SAM).
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 381