Unwanted sticking that prevents intended relative motion. In surface micromachining, a receding liquid meniscus can pull a compliant released beam onto the substrate; adhesion can then keep it there. Avoiding a liquid-vapor drying interface addresses one route to stiction, but does not remove contact adhesion during use.
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Stiction is a term that describes the phenomenon of static friction that needs to be overcome to initiate movement between two surfaces that are in contact with each other. It occurs when the forces holding the two surfaces together are stronger than the forces that allow them to slide against each other, resulting in a "stickiness.