Solid interfaces are ubiquitous in natural and engineering systems, having a strong impact on the efficiency and reliability of nearly all mechanical devices—from automobile engines to individual nanoscale contacts. At these interfaces, friction, fracture, wear and stress-induced chemical reactions contribute significantly to global energy dissipation and material degradation. Meanwhile, rapid developments in nanomechanics and nanotribology are uncovering new phenomena at small scales, enabling potentially transformative applications.

Our research explores the mechanics and tribology of solid interfaces at the micro- and nanoscales, aiming to understand the fundamental mechanisms of energy dissipation, transformation, and failure at these tiny contacts. We are particularly interested in the unusual behaviors that differ fundamentally from the macroscopic world, with implications for micro/nanodevices, manufacturing, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

We use a range of nanomechanics experimental tools such as atomic force microscopy, and combine them with theoretical models, seeking simple but elegant physics understanding of complex phenomena whenever possible.