A guide to the latest in nanoscience and technology research from the team that brings you Materials Today.
October 2007
Cover story: Nanotribology and MEMS

As devices get smaller, tribological forces at micro- and nanoscale interfaces become a problem. In moving microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) conventional lubricants such as bulk fluids and coatings are ineffective, but improved lubricants are being developed through nanoengineering.
Seong H. Kim, David B. Asay, and Michael T. Dugger
• Full text
 
Features
Nanotribology of carbon-based materials

At the nanoscale, tribological behavior would seem to limit
the application of nanotechnology. Carbon-based materials, with often unrivalled tribological properties, go some way to solving this issue.
David S. Grierson and Robert W. Carpick
• Full text
Biotribology inspires new technologies
Surfaces in relative motion, such as joint movement and
eyes blinking, require biological lubrication. Evolutionarily
optimized biotribological systems are inspiring nanotechnological development.
Ille C. Gebeshuber
• Full text

QCM tribology studies of thin adsorbed films

Understanding and predicting sliding friction is a longstanding problem in nanotechnology. The quartz crystal microbalance (QMC) allows measurement of sliding friction
in molecularly thin layers.
Jacqueline Krim
• Full text
Comment
Surfing the nanotechnology wave
The rapid growth of nanotechnology is continuing around the world, but is the UK going to be left behind?
Michael Pitkethly
• Opinion (pdf)

Nano doesn’t have a marketing problem… yet
Successful engagement with the public about emerging technologies has little to do with marketing, but relies on the same principles.
Dietram A. Scheufele
• Opinion (pdf)
 
 
Research news
Includes...
• Polymer fracture forms nano-grooves
• Off-again, on-again
• The very fine print
• Size does matter for nanotubes
• Tumor gets selective with nanoparticles
 
• Research news (pdf)
 



  Copyright © 2007 Elsevier Ltd.