Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/02/2004
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Title: Friction Mechanisms at the Nanoscale

Speaker: Dr. Martin Muser

Institute: University of Western Ontario
Department of Applied Mathematics

Location: ABB 102

Description:

We experience solid-on-solid friction without being aware of it many times throughout the day. Friction allows our cars to accelerate and to break. Yet, despite our familiarity with the effects of friction, fundamental questions remain unanswered. The molecular origin of well-established phenomenological laws is still under controversy.

Many explanations of macroscopic friction laws, which seemed to be well-established until recently, have been called into question by new experimental results. Computer simulations have also revealed flaws in previous theoretical approaches. In this talk, different possible friction mechanisms will be discussed. Special attention will be given to how computer simulations can be used to find relevant friction mechanisms.