Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Editors' Suggestion

Observation of Robust Macroscale Structural Superlubricity

Minhao Han1,*, Deli Peng1,2,*,†, Dinglin Yang3,4, Jin Wang5, Yi Zheng2, Guofeng Hu2, Yifan Shao1, Jiaying Li6, Feng Ding7 et al.

Zhiping Xu3,4, Michael Urbakh8, and Quanshui Zheng1,2,3,4,‡

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • †Contact author: pengdeli@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn
  • ‡Contact author: zhengqs@tsinghua.edu.cn

Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 076201 – Published 17 February, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/bv6j-q22p

Abstract

Structural superlubricity (SSL) promises nearly frictionless and wearless sliding but has until now been considered a special and extreme interfacial phenomenon limited to micro- and nanoscale contacts. Here, we demonstrate robust macroscale SSL within a single submillimeter graphite contact. Previously reported near-zero friction coefficients, where friction is nearly independent of normal load, have only been observed at microscale contacts under low loads. Our system expands both contact size and load into the macroscopic regime, exhibiting friction coefficients that fluctuate around zero and reach values as low as ∼10−6 across a broad load range from 1 mN to 0.5 N. Negative friction coefficients are also observed. Similar behavior is observed at graphite/MoS2 interfaces, indicating that macroscale SSL is a generalizable phenomenon across flat layered materials. These findings overturn long-standing scaling limitations and establish macroscale SSL as a paradigm-shifting platform for next-generation mechanical and electromechanical systems.

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation