Introduction-Measurement techniques and applications

Abstract

In this introduction chapter, the definition and history of tribology, its industrial significance and origins, and the significance of nanotribology and nanomechanics are described. Next, various measurement techniques used in nanotribological and nanomechanical studies are described. Interest in the nanotribology field grew from magnetic storage devices and, later, the applicability to the general field of micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) became clear. A few examples of magnetic storage devices and MEMS/NEMS and BioMEMS/NEMS are presented where nanotribological and nanomechanical tools and techniques are essential for interfacial studies. Finally, reasons why nanotribological and nanomechanical studies may be important in some applications are presented. In the last section, the organization of the book is presented.