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'Inchworm' Actuator Measures Friction

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 31 -- Creating a tool small enough to measure friction on a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device is not an easy task. The tool has to be about the width of a human hair. But researchers at the National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new "inchworm" actuator instrument that provides detailed information about friction at the microscale. The main objective of the project was to study the validity of Amonton's Law at the microscale. This law, first stated 300 years ago, says friction force is proportional to normal...Read full article

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    Published: March 2004
    Glossary
    actuator
    Mechanical device intended for the translation (rotational and linear) using high precision control from electronically operated circuits. See linear actuator; rotary actuator.
    microelectromechanical systems
    Refers to micron-size complex machines that have physical dimensions suitable for the fabrication of optical switches for use in state-of-the-art communications networks.
    actuatordefensefrictioninchwormMEMSmicroelectromechanical systemsmicroscaleNational Nuclear Security AdministrationNews & FeaturesSandia National Laboratories

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