Student poster abstract: Methods in characterization of nanoscale friction in solid lubricants

The limited applicability of conventional lubricants in extreme environments has motivated the use of solid lubricant materials. A study has been carried out to leverage existing calibration strategies to improve the quantitative reliability of scanning probe microscopy-based friction measurements. An in situ method of nanoscale lateral force measurement is put forward, which performs a single- step calibration and measurement of nanoscale friction. The method is validated using a well-characterized microtribometer. The applicability to the measurement of nanofriction in solid lubricants is demonstrated, including the clear effects of surface structure and tribofilm presence on nanoscale friction.