| Some recent results of our theoretical modelling of rolling friction at the nanoscale will be discussed. The system studied is a single nanoparticle placed between two surfaces, one stationary and the other pulled at a constant velocity and pressed down by a normal load. This system, although simple, can exhibit non-trivial and counterintuitive behaviour. It can exist in three principle friction states, viz. rolling state, as well as the states of low and high friction. The nature of these friction regimes will be examined, the state diagram will be presented, and some friction switching and hysteresis effects will be predicted and explained. |
|