Friction across the scale —from atom to earthquake—

抄録

Friction is one of the most familiar physical phenomena to us. The behavior of friction has been studied since ancient times. Recently new experimental techniques, such as vacuum technology, friction force microscopy (FFM), and surface force measurement devices, enable us the stydy of atomic scale friction and have been ushering in a new era in friction research. Some researchers have been trying to explain macro-scale friction from such microscopic phenomena. The largest scale frictional phenomenon on Earth is earthquakes. However, the research on the connection between micro- and macro-friction has not been sufficiently successful yet. In this talk, I would like to introduce the physics behind friction phenomena from the nanoscale to the macroscale, as well as various applications.