AVS 57th International Symposium & Exhibition
    Tribology Focus Topic Thursday Sessions
       Session TR-ThP

Paper TR-ThP1
A Study of Sliding Friction Across Velocity Regimes for Alternative MEMS-type Interfaces using Proximal Probes and Quartz Microbalance

Thursday, October 21, 2010, 6:00 pm, Room Southwest Exhibit Hall

Session: Tribology Focus Session Poster Session
Presenter: B. Borovsky, St. Olaf College
Authors: S. Barkley, Luther College
C. Bouxsein, St. Olaf College
M. Deram, St. Olaf College
N. Eigenfeld, St. Olaf College
L. Matthews, Luther College
A. Poda, Auburn University
W.R. Ashurst, Auburn University
E. Flater, Luther College
B. Borovsky, St. Olaf College
Correspondent: Click to Email
As mechanical devices have shrunk to microscopic sizes, the need for a more fundamental understanding of friction and other surface phenomena has become urgent. While the emerging technology of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) shows promise as the mechanical counterpart to integrated circuits, progress remains slow as structural materials and lubricant strategies continue to be developed. We report on the results of a collaborative effort to study the frictional properties of organic monolayers on metal oxide surfaces. Both a nanoindenter-quartz crystal microbalance (NI-QCM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM) in lateral force mode have been used to perform tribological experiments at sliding velocities spanning the range from microns per second to meters per second. Our initial studies have employed octadecylphosphonic acid self-assembled monolayers chemisorbed onto aluminum oxide components with realistic contact roughness, sizes, and pressures. These interfacial systems have the potential to offer an alternative to silicon-based device fabrication. We present the development of custom microsphere probes for the NI-QCM and AFM systems, as well as the fabrication and characterization of the phosphonate monolayers. We discuss preliminary data from frictional studies across velocity regimes.