AFM can elucidate tribological processes on atomic to micrometer length scales, where increased surface-to-volume ratios can dramatically alter behavior. Micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) and biomedical devices are just two of countless technologies that could benefit.
Specific examples include:
- Imaging chemical and compositional contrast with lateral forces
- Using friction loops and friction forces to characterize layered polymer films
- Evaluating thermoresponsive polymers with adhesion measurements
- Investigating stick-slip phenomena in 2D materials
- Demonstrating microscale superlubricity with graphene-coated parts
- Exploring how sliding velocity, humidity, and temperature affect friction and adhesion
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Capabilities described include:
- Scanning and imaging with lateral force microscopy (LFM)
- Measuring friction forces and friction coefficients
- Measuring adhesion with force curves
- Colloidal probes to explore surface chemistry effects
- Cypher ES AFM for precise environmental control (liquids and gases, humidity, temperature)
- Sliding velocities from ~1 nm/s to 100 μm/s, and up to 10× higher with the Cypher VRS AFM
- Calibrating absolute forces
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