COLL 64 |
| William J. Price1, Gang-yu Liu1, and Pao-Kuang Kuo2. (1) Department of Chemistry, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-5295, (2) Department of Physics, Wayne State University, 5101 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202 |
| As devices or chips are miniaturized, local mechanical properties become increasingly critical. Unlike macroscopic or even microscopic studies, little is known about the mechanical properties at the nanoscale (1 – 300 nm). This is partially due to the lack of reliable and accurate methodologies to produce nanostructures, and measure mechanical properties systematically. We have designed and produced test platforms to study mechanical properties such as friction and elasticity. These test platforms contain nanostructures of organic molecules with various sizes and functionalities. Edge becomes increasingly important as the pattern size decreases. Interactions of the atomic force microscope probe and the edges of the patterns manifest into a characteristic contrast. We have also seen variations in the elastic compliance of the nanostructures upon varying the overall pattern size. The results of these systematic studies along with our interpretations will also be presented. |
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Molecular Tribology
Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry |