The form of energy termed heat that typically derives from lattice vibrations, ie, phonons, is
usually considered as waste energy and, moreover, deleterious to information processing …

The physics of sliding friction is gaining impulse from nanoscale and mesoscale
experiments, simulations, and theoretical modeling. This Colloquium reviews some recent …

The application of strain to semiconductors allows for controlled modification of their band
structure. This principle is employed for the manufacturing of devices ranging from high …

When a crystal is subjected to a periodic potential, under certain circumstances it can adjust
itself to follow the periodicity of the potential, resulting in a commensurate state. Of particular …

The state of vanishing friction known as superlubricity has important applications for energy
saving and increasing the lifetime of devices. Superlubricity, as detected with atomic force …

Friction and wear remain as the primary modes of mechanical energy dissipation in moving
mechanical assemblies; thus, it is desirable to minimize friction in a number of applications …

Solitons are exceptionally stable standing waves which appear in many areas of physics.
This book introduces the basic properties of solitons using examples from macroscopic …

A general introduction to surface and interfacial forces, perfectly combining theoretical
concepts, experimental techniques and practical applications. In this completely updated …

Recent progress in preparing well-controlled two-dimensional van der Waals
heterojunctions has opened up a new frontier in materials physics. Here we address the …

Friction is undoubtedly one of the most common yet intriguing physical phenomena
encountered in our daily lives. It would be impossible to play a stringed instrument or write …