TABLE OF CONTENTS Bharat Bhushan
In this introductory chapter, the definition and history of tribology and their industrial significance and origins and significance of an emerging field of micro/nanotribology are described. Next, various measurement techniques used in micro/nanotribological and micro/nanomechanical studies are described. The interest in micro/nanotribology field grew from magnetic storage devices and latter the applicability to emerging field micro/nanoelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) became clear. A few examples of magnetic storage devices and MEMS/NEMS are presented where micro/nanotribological and micro/nanomechanical tools and techniques are essential for interfacial studies. Finally, reasons why micro/nanotribological and micro/nanomechanical studies are important in magnetic storage devices and MEMS/NEMS are presented. In the last section, organization of the book is presented.
The word tribology was first reported in a landmark report by Jost [1]. The word is derived from the Greek word tribos meaning rubbing, so the literal translation would be "the science of rubbing". Its popular English language equivalent is friction and wear or lubrication science, alternatively used. The latter term is hardly all-inclusive. Dictionaries define tribology as the science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion and of related subjects and practices. Tribology is the art of applying operational analysis to problems of great economic significance, namely, reliability, maintenance, and wear of technical equipment, ranging from spacecraft to household appliances. Surface interactions in a tribological interface are highly complex, and their understanding requires knowledge of various disciplines including physics, chemistry, applied mathematics, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat...
