Lab for Mechanics and Tribology at Micro/Nano Interfaces

Tribology is the study of friction, wear, adhesion and lubrication of contacting surfaces with relative movement. These processes are central to the motion, energy efficiency and reliability of a wide range of natural and engineering systems, ranging from tectonic faults to automobile engines and nanodevices.

Our group explores the mechanics and tribology of solid interfaces at micro- and nanoscales. These tiny contacts are the building blocks of all contacts and often show surprising behaviors different from everyday experience. We aim to understand how mechanics reshapes the energy landscape of frictional dissipation, mechanical failure, and chemical reactions at these interfaces.

We combine a range of experimental tools with theoretical models to seek simple physical principles behind complex interfacial phenomena whenever possible and focus on problems that are both fundamentally interesting and practically important.

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