Argonne scientists used Mira to identify and improve a new mechanism for eliminating friction, which fed into the development of a hybrid material that exhibited superlubricity at the macroscale for the first time. Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF) researchers helped enable the groundbreaking simulations by overcoming a performance bottleneck that doubled the speed of the team's code.
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They were amazed by what the computer simulations revealed. When the lubricant materials--graphene and diamond-like carbon (DLC)--slid against each other, the graphene began rolling up to form hollow cylindrical "scrolls" that helped to practically eliminate friction. These so-called nanoscrolls represented a completely new mechanism for superlubricity, a state in which friction essentially disappears.
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Superlubricity is a highly desirable property. Considering that nearly one-third of every fuel tank is spent overcoming friction in automobiles, a material that can achieve superlubricity would greatly benefit industry and consumers alike. Such materials could also help increase the lifetime of countless mechanical components that wear down due to incessant friction.
(Score: 2) by ticho on Thursday July 23 2015, @05:29AM
Isn't it obvious? Waterslides!
(Score: 5, Insightful) by carguy on Thursday July 23 2015, @05:44AM
Isn't it obvious? Waterslides!
Don't you mean waterless slides?
(Score: 2) by ticho on Friday July 24 2015, @05:51AM
I imagine you'll need water to add at least some friction. Hitting the sound barrier in an amusement park full of people might not be wise. :)