Advances in computer-basedmodeling and simulationmethodologies and capabilities, coupled with the emergenceanddevelopment of high-resolution experimental techniques, allow investigations of tribological phenomenawith unprecedented atomic-scale spatial and temporal resolution. We focus here onmolecular dynamics simulations of formationandproperties of interfacial junctionsandonnano-elastohydrody...

A precision spin stand was used to study the effects of pitch static angle and roll static angle on lubricant transfer between a disk and a slider in a hard disk drive. The lubricant distribution on the slider was determined by timeof-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, while the lubricant distribution on the disks was obtained using optical surface analysis. Lubricant transfer from the dis...

Perfluoropolyethers ~PFPE! are used extensively to lubricate hard disks for high density information storage. Some PFPE lubricants have been shown to be vulnerable to dissociative electron attachment as well as electron bombardment. Triboelectric charges generated during sliding contact may generate quasi-free electrons capable of degrading the lubricant. We describe measurements of triboelectr...

Solid asperity interactions are common and inevitable under severe loading conditions for any lubricated contact. Heavy-duty machine components (gears, bearings, etc.) generally operate Mixed Lubrication (ML), where uneven surface features contact each other when the generated fluid pressure is not enough to support external load. The Reynolds equation commonly used simulate smooth contacts num...