Experimental advances in superlubricity

Abstract

Abstract Superlubricity, or structural lubricity, is a state that has two contacting surfaces exhibiting no resistance to sliding. This effect has been theoretically described to be possible between two completely clean single crystalline solid surfaces. However, experimental observations of superlubricity were limited to nanoscale and under high vacuum or inert gas environments even after twenty years since the concept of superlubricity has been suggested in 1990. In the last two years, remarkable advances have been achieved in experimental observations of superlubricity ranging from micro-scale to centimeters and in ambient environment. This study aims to report a comprehensive understanding of the superlubricity phenomenon.