The science of friction on graphene

November 28, 2016

Professor Ju Li is helping unravel the mysteries of graphene's unique properties; specifically, how it behaves when something slides across its surface.

"Graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon in sheets just one atom thick, has been the subject of widespread research, in large part because of its unique combination of strength, electrical conductivity, and chemical stability. But despite many years of study, some of graphene’s fundamental properties are still not well-understood, including the way it behaves when something slides along its surface.

"Now, using powerful computer simulations, researchers at MIT and elsewhere have made significant strides in understanding that process, including why the friction varies as the object sliding on it moves forward, instead of remaining constant as it does with most other known materials." - MIT News