Progress of research on nanotribology

With the development of nano science and technology, nanotribology has been a fundamental technology involved in super precise machine and micro electromechanical systems, which focus on the atom/molecule-scale friction, lubrication and wear properties of tribological interfaces. Since early 1990s, Chinese tribologists have devoted themselves into this field and made remarkable achievements. The main research progress on nanotribology from the State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University is summarized, including thin film lubrication, confined liquid properties, ordered molecular film lubrication, interface friction and stick-slip phenomena, magnetic head/disk nanotribology and the development of experimental instruments, etc. To serve as a valuable reference for future study is expected in nanotribology.