Jan. 20, 2006 (Wednesday)

The Molecular Level Physics of Rubbing

Miquel Salmeron
LBNL, Berkeley

I will discuss some of the topics related to the nature and origin of friction that have attracted my curiosity as a physicist over the last 10 years. The talk will be centered on the following phenomena and on the lessons learned from them:
* Molecules under an anvil. Twisting, bending and squeeze out
* How is energy transferred? Where does it go?
* Sliding on periodic and aperiodic lattices: Mr. Fibonacci
* Tuning friction with a knob: electron traps and molasses

Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Lecture Room 5