AVS 56th International Symposium & Exhibition
    Tribology Focus Topic Wednesday Sessions
       Session TR+NS-WeM

Paper TR+NS-WeM5
MD and AFM Studies of the Adhesion of Diamond, Silicon, and UNCD

Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 9:20 am, Room C4

Session: Nanomechanics and Nanotribology
Presenter: J.A. Harrison, United States Naval Academy
Authors: J.A. Harrison, United States Naval Academy
P.L. Piotrowski, United States Naval Academy
G.T. Gao, United States Naval Academy
R.J. Cannara, National Institute of Standards and Technology
R.W. Carpick, University of Pennsylvania
Correspondent: Click to Email
For the past several years, we have used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and classical reactive empirical bond-order (REBO and AIREBO) potentials to elucidate the atomic-scale mechanisms of friction and adhesion in solid lubricants. Recently, we have conducted complementary MD and atomic force microscopy (AFM) examinations of adhesion and atomic-scale friction for diamond, silicon, and nanocrystalline diamond interfaces. These materials are highly relevant to micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (M/NEMS), nanomanufacturing, and a host of other applications. The conditions of the simulations and the experiments were designed to correspond as closely as the methods allow. The effects of variables including diamond (or silicon) crystal orientation, hydrogen termination, temperature, and roughness on adhesion and friction can all be examined. In this talk, we will discuss our most recent results which highlight atomic mechanisms of friction and adhesion as well as the limits of continuum mechanics.

*JAH acknowledges support from The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFSOR) as part of the Extreme Friction MURI and from The Office of Naval Research. JAH & RWC also acknowledge support from AFOSR’s Aerospace, Chemical, and Material Sciences Directorate.