Nanotribology

1
Quartz Crystal Microbalance Studies of
Atomic-Scale FrictionJacqueline Krim, National
Science Foundation, DMR0320743
Nanotribology Our research program is
unique world-wide, exploring the nano- scale
origins of friction with a quartz crystal
microbalance technique that the PI developed in
the late 1980s with the support of NSF. This
year we published the first systematic study of
how molecular rotation impacts sliding friction .
1 Our results were featured in both Nature
Nano-technology and Nanozone news. 1T. Coffey
and J. Krim, C60 molecular bearings and the
phenomenon of nanomapping, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96,
186104 (2006)
Schematic of the quartz crystal oscillator
technique. Methane molecules slide along rotating
C60 molecules attached to the surface of the
microbalance.
2
Quartz Crystal Microbalance Studies of
Atomic-Scale FrictionJacqueline Krim, National
Science Foundation, DMR0320743

• DMR0320743 supports three graduate students and
  two undergrads, with strong representation from
  female and minority groups.

Troy Bradshaw, undergrad researcher
Cherno Jaye, Ph.D. 2006 Present position
postdoctoal Researcher, Brokkhaven National
Laboratory
Matt Highland, Ph.D. 2006 Present position
postdoctoal Researcher, U of Illinois,
Urbana Champagne.
Tonya Coffey, Ph.D. 2005 Present position
assistant Professor of physics, Appalacian
State University
Matt Walker, M.S. 2006 Ph.D. in progress
in Materials Science at NCSU
Iyam Lynch (above) and Afsaneh Ketabi (below)
M.S research in progress.
Omar Parker, undergrad researcher with our
group. M.S. in progress in medical Physics at
Eastern Carlina University.