Microscale applications in tribology

This chapter focuses on microscale applications involving basic mechanical and biological issues affecting tribology in magnetic storage devices, microelectromechanical devices, flexible media, and biomedical systems. Similar to the factors influencing macroscale applications-described in the earlier chapter-microscale applications of tribology rely on understanding and solving complex tribological issues involving friction, adhesion, lubrication, and wear of components in relative motion. Although many of the presented solutions are multidisciplinary in approach, they also depend on a thorough understanding of the smaller length-scales to achieve the desired efficiency, reliability, compliance, and safety necessary to ensure economical and practical operation. The presented topics are chosen to further illustrate the broad range and importance that tribology plays in lesser known applications which people encounter in their daily lives from computer hard drives to printers and from contact lenses to basketballs.