Magnetic Head Slider Coated with 2D Atomic Crystal for Superlubricity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard disk devices experience friction and damage during reading and writing due to the abrasion of atomic-scale coating materials between the magnetic head and the disk body, leading to device degradation.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic head with a head slider coated in a two-dimensional atomic crystal material, such as graphene, that achieves an atomic contact with the disk body, minimizing friction through van der Waals forces and reducing the thickness of the protection layer, while an actuator ensures incommensurate stacking of the crystal layers to maintain a superlubric state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the magnetic head and disk body are coated with identical atomic-scale coating materials, then the protection against wear is improved, but the coating materials tend to abrade and the hard disk device becomes damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (two-dimensional atomic crystal material coating) between the magnetic head and disk body surfaces. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact and chemical bonding between the substrate materials, reducing wear and abrasion while maintaining protective function. The coating acts as a mediator that transfers and distributes mechanical stresses, preventing direct damage to the underlying structures.
2Ease of operation
If the magnetic head contacts the disk body during reading and writing, then data access is enabled, but friction is produced between the magnetic head and disk body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based data access with a near-contact system enabled by the ultra-thin two-dimensional atomic crystal coating. The coating's atomic-scale thickness allows the magnetic head to operate in a fly-height mode where data can be accessed through magnetic field interaction without significant mechanical friction, substituting direct mechanical contact with field-based interaction facilitated by the thin coating layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the contact interface by introducing a coating with atomic-scale thickness and unique tribological properties. This parameter change (from conventional coating thickness to atomic-scale thickness) fundamentally alters the friction characteristics, enabling near-frictionless operation while maintaining the necessary contact for data access functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If the coating thickness is reduced to achieve atomic contact, then storage density is improved, but the protection layer becomes more vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a two-dimensional atomic crystal material coating that functions as an ultra-thin film with exceptional mechanical strength and flexibility. Despite its atomic-scale thickness, this film maintains protective capabilities through its inherent material properties, including high strength-to-thickness ratio and flexibility that allows it to conform to surface irregularities and absorb mechanical stresses without compromising the underlying structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures where the two-dimensional atomic crystal coating is combined with the magnetic head and disk body substrates. This composite approach leverages the unique properties of the atomic crystal material (exceptional strength, flexibility, and tribological characteristics) to create a multi-layer structure where each layer contributes specific functions, achieving both thinness for high storage density and sufficient protection through the composite architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in reduced friction and abrasion, enhanced stability, and increased storage density, allowing for higher rotational speeds and improved shockproof performance, with a simplified design that maintains storage capacity and reduces device size.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic head atomically contacts with the disk body, and the magnetic head and the disk body are in a superlubric state... the two surfaces are connected through van der Waals force
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic head and the disk body are in a superlubric state... almost no friction is produced during the relative movement of the two surfaces
Implementation Method 3
the contact surface is coated with at least one smooth atomic-scale coating formed by two-dimensional atomic crystal material
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic head includes a head slider. The head slider includes a contact surface corresponding to a disk body, and the contact surface is a flat surface. The contact surface is coated with at least one smooth atomic-scale coating formed by a two-dimensional atomic crystal material. The head slider atomically contacts with the disk body.