WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Researchers have created a new type of non-liquid lubricant that has been shown to reduce friction and wear significantly under the extreme conditions found in various ...

The dynamics of how liquids behave when confined in a nanoscale-sized space such as nanochannels, nanotubes or nanopores, is key to understanding a wealth of processes including lubrication, ...

There is a very peculiar dynamics of granular matter, such as dry sand or grains of wheat. When these granular particles are left on a vibrating solid surface, they are not only subject to random ...

Through a multi-university collaboration, researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a new, solid lubricating mechanism that can reduce friction in machinery at extremely high temperatures. It works ...

Solid lubricants can be utilized as free-flowing powders, as additives in some oils and greases, and as key ingredients in high-performance anti-friction coatings and anti-seize pastes. These special ...

Low-friction coatings for bearings can improve bearing life and performance. Low-friction coatings are used on bearings for two reasons. The first is as a backup lubricant if the primary (fluid) ...

Solid lubrication has become essential in materials science. The first United States patent for these materials was issued in the mid-1940s. 2 Since then, significant progress has been made in the ...

Electrically tunable ionic hydrogels use small voltages to switch friction at metal contacts between high-friction and ultra-low-friction states, enabling voltage-programmed grip, release and motion ...

Scientists have explored friction at the microscopic level. They discovered that the force generating friction is much stronger than previously thought. The discovery is an important step toward ...