title: Nanoscale wear and machining behavior of nanolayer interfaces.
abstract: An atomic force microscope was used to subnanometer incise a nanomultilayer to consequently expose individual nanolayers and interfaces on which sliding and scanning nanowear/machining have been performed. The letter reports the first observation on the nanoscale where (i) atomic debris forms in a collective manner, most-likely by deformation and rupture of atomic bonds, and (ii) the nanolayer interfaces possess a much higher wear resistance (desired for nanomachines) or lower machinability (not desired for nanomachining) than the layers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical, Automotive & Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9E 3W9, Canada. xnie@uwindsor.ca
authors.forename: Xueyuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Anita M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Yang-Tse
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Cheng