The Net Advance of Physics:
Some Unconventional Mesoscale Quantum-Like Effects in Tribology and Elasticity



This page deals with the claim that deformed solids exhibit quantised behaviour at size scales where quantum mechanics is not usually thought to apply. This contention is mainly associated with the 1960s, when E. R. Fitzgerald of Johns Hopkins University maintained that Planck's constant appears in various empirical relations governing hypervelocity impact, elastic strain, detonation, and sliding friction, but it continues to have defenders today. "Quantum friction", e.g. due to the Casimir effect, although an extremely controversial topic itself, is not included here; it deserves a page of its own, if time should someday permit.

PLEASE NOTE: The Net Advance of Physics does not take a position on the existence and/or explanation of the reported phenomena. Papers are listed in approximately chronological order. To add papers, please write to the editor (redingtn at mit dot edu).



THE NET ADVANCE OF PHYSICS