Vibration-induced superlubricity

Abstract Energy losses originating from friction and wear are estimated to be 23% of the world’s total primary energy consumption. Reduction of friction is not only a problem to be solved in engineering application, but also a technical barrier for micro devices such as microelectromechanical systems. New lubrication techniques and materials related to energy-saving and green industry are urgently needed. Today, some advanced solutions have been proposed to potentially solve friction and wear problems for micro- or nanoelectromechanical system. Technologies of ultralow friction coefficient even superlubricity can greatly improve the energy efficiency of relative motion system. Up to now, a large number of superlubricity phenomena have been found, and several important superlubricity mechanisms have been revealed. In this chapter, we introduce a new phenomenon discovered recently to realize superlubricity, that is, the vibration-induced superlubricity, and its mechanism has been discussed.