Researchers from the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have created a new combination material from graphene and diamonds that's able to almost entirely overcome friction. The property, known as superlubricity, is highly sought after for its potential use in a wide range of mechanical systems.
Zooming down to an atomic level, friction is caused by atoms locking together, making it difficult for them to pass over one another. It's like sliding the bases of two egg cartons over one another. They'll often get entangled together during the process.
In an attempt to create a material that all but eliminates this effect, the small team of researchers combined three key building blocks – diamond nanoparticles, a diamond-like carbon surface and numerous small patches of graphene.
[...] Combining the three materials, the Argonne National Laboratory researchers observed the graphene patches interacting with the diamond nanoparticles as they rubbed up against the diamond-like carbon surface. In essence, the graphene rolled itself around the diamond particles to create tiny ball bearing-like structures, which the researchers call nanoscrolls.
Is there anything graphene can't do?
(Score: 2) by arslan on Sunday June 14 2015, @10:54PM
Eh? Without friction you're just humping air...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 16 2015, @01:04AM
Side pressure (moving expansion or compression, depending on whether you're a socket or a plug) is more important than friction in humping. Try putting lube inside the condom, you'll notice a world of difference thanks to less friction.