What is Nanotribology/Nanotechnology?

Nano: What is a nanometer? A nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a meter. This is roughly ten times the size of an individual atom. A cube 2.5 nm on a side would contain about a thousand atoms. The smallest feature in an integrated circuit of today is 250 nm on a side, and contains one million atoms in a layer of atomic height. Proteins, the molecules that catalyze chemical transformations in cells, are 1 to 20 nm in size. For comparison, 10 nm is 1000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. There are as many nanometers in an inch as there are inches in 400 miles.

Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology is the creation of functional materials, devices, and systems through control of matter on the nanometer (1 to 100+ nm) length scale and the exploitation of novel properties and phenomena developed at that scale. A scientific and technical revolution has begun that is based upon the ability to systematically organize and manipulate matter on the nanometer length scale. Some applications of nanotechnology are: chemical and bio-detectors, advanced drug delivery systems, information recording layers, molecular sieves, systems on a chip, nanoparticle reinforced materials, and a new generation of lasers, just to name a few.

Nanotribology: Nanotribology is the study of friction/wear at atomic length and time scales. The future of nanotechnology depends on advancements in nanotribology. Currently, there are no commercially available micro/nanomachines with moving parts. This is because small frictional forces are enough to destroy the tiny machines within the first few hours/days of operation.

Some of the above information is taken from the following informative site: http://www.mitalliance.org/nanotechnologyreferences.htm

Our Lab

• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
• Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM)
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Research Quartz Crystal Microbalance (RQCM) Studies
• Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) capability

Current Research Projects/Capabilities

• Viscosity, Surface Tension, Contact Angle Measurements using the RQCM
• Viscosity Measurement of Martian Atmosphere for NASA
• UHV monolayer sample preparation and QCM measurements
• Investigation of Nanobubbles using QCM
• Diet Coke and Mentos: What is really behind this reaction?
• Finding the heat of adsorption for alcohols on silicon dioxide using QCM in UHV

Lab Alumni:

John Ferguson, Fall 2004 (currently at Cornell University)

Dustin Stansbury, Spring 2005

Jon M. Jones, Spring 2005 - Present

Heather Nemetz, Fall 2005-Fall 2006

Brandon McGuire, Fall 2005-Summer 2006

Zach Russell, Fall 2006-Present

Dennis Gilfillan, Summer 2006

Matt Cass, Spring 2006

Cully Little, Summer 2007-Present

AJ Hall, Summer 2007-Present

Magdalena Jaramillo, Summer 2007