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Low-Friction Nanoscale Linear Bearing Realized from Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes
John Cumings,A. Zettl*
We demonstrate the controlled and reversible telescopic extension
of multiwall carbon nanotubes, thus realizing ultralow-frictionnanoscale linear bearings and constant-force nanosprings. Measurementsperformed in situ on individual custom-engineered nanotubes insidea
high-resolution transmission electron microscope demonstratedthe
anticipated van der Waals energy-based retraction force andenabled us
to place quantitative limits on the static and dynamicinterwall
frictional forces between nested nanotubes. Repeatedextension and
retraction of telescoping nanotube segments revealedno wear or fatigue
on the atomic scale. Hence, these nanotubesmay constitute near
perfect, wear-free surfaces.
Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA
94720, USA, and Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
azettl{at}physics.berkeley.edu
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