With the help of a two-dimensional model we study rolling lubrication by circular (2D fullerenes) molecules for a wide range of parameters. The conditions under which microscopic rolling friction may be effective are identified and related to the relative ingraining between substrate and molecule, the latter behaving as a nanosized cogwheel.
@article{arxiv.0809.1015,
title = {Molecular rolling friction: the cogwheel model},
author = {O. M. Braun and Erio Tosatti},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0809.1015},
year = {2008}
}