Direct observations on nanopillars composed of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and chromium-doped MoS2 and their response to compressive stress have been made. Time-resolved transmission electron microscopy (TEM) during compression of the submicrometer diameter pillars of MoS2- and Cr-doped MoS2 (Cr: 0, 10, and 50 at %) allow the deformation process of the material to be observed and can be directly correlated with mechanical response to applied load. The addition of chromium to the MoS2 changed the failure mode from plastic deformation to catastrophic brittle fracture, an effect that was more pronounced as chromium content increased.

Knowledge of their bulk physical properties often guides selection of appropriate tribological coating materials. However, these properties as well as the microstructure evolve dramatically under the extreme conditions imposed during mechanical wear. The dynamic response ultimately governs the material's wear performance and thus understanding the dynamic evolution of the system is critical. This work characterizes the change in mechanical properties and microstructure as a function of wear cycles in model MoS 2 films using a combination of nanowear testing, transmission electron microscopy, and site-specific nano-pillar compression. Notably, mechanical wear enhances the mechanical properties of the MoS 2 , while simultaneously evolving a microstructure that reduces the coefficient of friction and wear rate. We hypothesize that this self-optimizing behavior underpins the exceptional lubricity and anti-wear performance of MoS 2 .

Shear and compression strengths of individual carrots were measured with the Instron Universal Testing Machine. Compression correlated highly, but shear poorly, with sensory hardness as judged by compressing and flexing. The study confirmed the usefullness of the coefficient of compression in predicting textural quality of carrots.

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