A study by researchers at Pusan National University has investigated the relationship between surface structures and nanoscale friction in multi-layered CVD graphene. They found that only the top-most layer of graphene was twisted with respect to the rest, affecting layer-dependent nanoscale friction.
Researchers at Texas A&M University develop new touchscreen technology that can simulate virtual shapes through temperature variation. The approach increases friction at the finger-device level, allowing for immersive and accurate touch experiences.
The £1 million HAROLD 2.0 test rig will enhance the facility's functionality with real-time train braking performance models and a fully functional AC power bogie, enabling analysis of on-train systems and novel hybrid drivetrains.
Researchers propose that water molecules interact with electrons in the nanotube walls, slowing down flow. Theoretical findings could significantly impact proposed carbon nanotube applications, such as filtering salt from seawater or generating energy.
A team of researchers describes a novel flight style in the smallest free-living insects, beetles of the featherwing family. They found that these insects use a bristled wing style and rowing movements to excel at flight, defying conventional wisdom about insect aerodynamics.
Researchers develop ice-inspired lubricant that enhances lubrication and reduces friction and inflammation in a rat model of osteoarthritis. The treatment, which uses microfluidic technology to create drug-loaded particles, shows promise as a potential solution for joint pain and degeneration.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh aim to reduce workplace accidents by creating a predictive model of friction based on floor-surface topography. They will use advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy to measure small-scale features that affect shoe-floor friction.
Researchers discovered a graphene-like material called magnetene that exhibits ultra-low friction, contrary to predictions based on Van der Waals forces. Quantum effects play a crucial role in its behavior, making it suitable for use in micro-electro-mechanical systems and implantable devices.
Researchers discover that finger snaps produce the highest rotational accelerations observed in humans, even faster than professional baseball pitchers. The study explores the role of friction and finds a 'Goldilocks zone' necessary for optimal energy storage.
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that maritime ropes can release millions of microplastic fragments into the ocean annually. The research estimated that the UK fishing fleet alone could be releasing between 326 million to 17 billion microplastic pieces into the ocean every year.
Researchers analyzed data from Kīlauea's caldera collapse to characterize friction at a large scale. The study confirms the role of slip-weakening distance in earthquake mechanics and provides insights into the physics governing caldera collapses.
Researchers found that tiny hairs on honeybee abdomens reduce friction during movements, conserving energy and reducing wear. This discovery could inspire the design of longer-lasting moving parts.
Researchers at the University of Manchester developed graphene-based nanochannels that significantly reduce water friction, leading to enhanced permeation and efficiency in membrane processes. This breakthrough has potential applications in desalination, energy storage, and wastewater treatment.
Researchers discovered a new law of physics that accounts for elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) friction, crucial for developing reliable haptic and robotic devices. This breakthrough enables the creation of more functional devices in applications like telesurgery and manufacturing.
Researchers explore how blockchain and machine learning can optimize customer experiences across channels, while addressing data privacy concerns. The study identifies opportunities for future research on attribution modeling and incentivizing partner participation in blockchains.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that the incidence of prolonged hiring difficulties for STEM workers in the IT help desk sector is modest, with only 11%-15% of vacancies showing signs of persistent hiring frictions. The researchers identified organizational characteristics, management strategy, and...
Researchers at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University developed a method for creating thin films using reactive pulsed laser deposition. The resulting films reduced friction by over 10 times, with applications in industries like space technology and instrument building.
Researchers discovered a unique microstructure on the bellies of sidewinding snakes, which improves performance when using lateral undulation for movement. The findings shed light on the functionality of these structures and their role in convergent evolution.
Researchers at Rice University developed a computational model to fine-tune carbon nanotube fiber properties for aerospace, automotive and medical applications. The study reveals that longer nanotubes and increased crosslinks can strengthen fibers by reducing friction.
Cell velocity depends on surface stickiness, and researchers have figured out the precise mechanics. A mathematical model captures forces involved in cell movement, matching experimental results for various cell types. The findings could provide new targets to interrupt tumor metastasis.
A new study by MIT researchers reveals that Arctic eddies are driven by ice friction and ocean stratification, leading to a seasonal shift in their activity. The findings suggest that as the Arctic loses summertime ice, waters will become more turbulent, with implications for climate change predictions.
Human fingerprints have a self-regulating moisture mechanism that helps avoid dropping objects, enabling the development of better prosthetic limbs and virtual reality environments. By regulating skin moisture, fingerprints maximize friction on various surfaces, giving primates an evolutionary advantage in dry and wet conditions.
A study reveals that fingerprints facilitate grip by controlling friction through the interaction of sweat glands and moisture. The researchers found that fingerprint ridges effectively block sweat glands when in contact with a surface, resulting in maximum friction.
Researchers designed hydrogels with self-renewing, lipid-based boundary layers, reducing friction by a near 100-fold. The approach maintains lubricity after drying and rehydration, opening potential applications in tissue engineering and biosensor development.
A new tissue-transport device inspired by wasp egg-laying organs may enable minimally invasive surgery in previously hard-to-reach areas, reducing trauma and recovery time. The device uses friction forces to transport tissues, potentially overcoming challenges faced by current suction-based devices.
Researchers from Imperial College London found that non-absorptive creams and powders like talcum powder and coconut oil-cocoa butter mixtures are most effective in providing long-lasting skin protection for PPE wearers. These products create a protective layer between skin and PPE, reducing friction and shear injuries.
A team of researchers from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Pohang University of Science and Technology developed a lubricant-infused slip surface to reduce friction in ships. They found that larger open areas lead to a more slippery surface, while lid thickness has little effect on slip.
New USC research reveals that rock-melting forces deep within the Earth's crust are responsible for tremors along a notorious segment of California's San Andreas Fault. The study suggests that these underground excitations can lead to instability and ruptures in the fault, generating anomalous seismic waves.
A new kirigami-based shoe sole has been designed to reduce the risks of slips and falls by adjusting as a person steps, increasing friction with pop-up spikes as necessary. The study found that the new grip could achieve a greater friction than standard winter boots by two- to three-fold.
Kurt Beschorner's $1.8M NIOSH grant focuses on measuring friction as a pathway for slip and fall risk in ladder accidents. The research will establish safety guidelines to reduce severe injuries and fatalities in the workplace and at home.
Researchers have developed a droplet biosensing method that can detect the presence of COVID-19 in a sample in just minutes. This fast and accurate method uses surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to analyze viral genetic material, reducing testing time and error margin.
Scientists at TU Wien have developed a new method for simulating wear and friction on an atomic scale using supercomputers. This allows them to study the behavior of materials on a microscopic level, enabling the prediction of durability and safety in industrial applications.
Scientists have successfully predicted the dynamics of binding and unbinding processes on a time scale of seconds to half a minute in pharmacologically relevant test systems. The new dissipation-corrected targeted MD approach reduces computational power by a factor of ten.
Researchers at MIT have developed a friction-boosting material that can be used to coat shoe bottoms, increasing grip on ice and other slippery surfaces. Laboratory tests showed a 20-35% increase in friction with the kirigami-coated shoes.
Researchers at Harvard and MIT have developed pop-up shoe grips inspired by snake skin that increase friction between the shoe and ground. These assistive grips could significantly reduce the risk of falls among older adults and improve the mobility of all-terrain robots.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology used nonlinear mathematical modeling to study tractor instability caused by bouncing and sliding. The model helped identify conditions that lead to catastrophic vibrations, allowing for better control of automated agricultural systems and protection of farmers' safety.
The study found that core networks are more adaptive to environmental changes in complex systems. Peripheral networks can introduce new ideas and methods to the entire system when core networks cannot adjust. Interactions between core and peripheral networks are crucial for adaptation.
Researchers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command developed a new approach to analyze tribological response between steel and silicon nitride during high-speed sliding tests. The study found that frictional heating induces chemical reactions leading to lubricating thin films, reducing wear and friction.
Researchers led by Lehigh's Anand Jagota will explore bio-inspired design of near-surface structures to improve friction in soft materials. The project aims to create safer tires, improve robotics and biomaterials, and advance mobility with the support of a $2M NSF grant.
Engineers at Duke University have developed a model predicting mechanical behaviors and origins of earthquakes in various rocks, providing insights into unobservable phenomena deep beneath the Earth's surface. The model accurately reproduces how friction decreases as rock speed increases, shedding light on earthquake mechanisms.
Researchers developed a control method that allows robots to better lift and move patients without compensating for friction, improving patient safety and comfort. The next step is to add a torso to the robot's arm, making it more human-like.
When non-motile E. coli and motile A. baylyi are mixed, stunning floral patterns emerge due to differences in growth rate, motility, and friction against the agar surface. This phenomenon has important implications for understanding growing biofilms.
Let's Encrypt, a nonprofit certificate authority co-founded by J. Alex Halderman, has revolutionized the implementation of HTTPS on websites worldwide. By offering free certificates and an automated process, it has driven a significant increase in secure websites, with the internet now boasting an 80% adoption rate.
A thin layer of liquid water, much thinner than expected, is found to reduce friction on ice, with complex viscoelastic properties. This film's unusual behavior contradicts existing theories and offers new insights into ice gliding and winter sports.
Physicists at the University of Basel have experimentally verified that the heat generated through friction in topological insulators can be significantly reduced. By regulating voltage, they observed a novel quantum-mechanical dissipation mechanism, enabling targeted control over electronic friction.
A University of Washington team developed an artificial suction cup that borrows from the Northern clingfish's natural design, performing better than its natural counterpart. The prototype held up to 230 times its own weight and was flexible enough to conform to rough surfaces.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology created a biologically inspired remora disc that replicates the fish's ability to lock onto surfaces, with a 'sweet spot' in suction power between nine and 12 lamellae. The study provides insight into the evolution of the remora's unique disc morphology.
Researchers discovered that slow slip events can arise with rate-strengthening friction, which produces stable sliding. The team found that changes in poroelastic pressure reduce friction, leading to a slow slip event.
Researchers at Kanazawa University developed a robot control system that uses soft fingertips to grasp and release objects, reducing friction under both dry and wet conditions. The system involves injecting a lubricant to reduce friction and enable precise placement of objects.
A new study suggests that glacial sediments played a crucial role in the emergence and evolution of global plate tectonics. The research found two major periods of worldwide glaciation, each boosting the rate of plate tectonics, which resulted in massive deposits of glacier-scrubbed sediment.
A new study by Cornell University provides insight into the mode of action of hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, finding a direct correlation between lubricating properties and pain relief in patients. The research suggests that HA products should be reclassified as drugs to better regulate their treatment options.
A team of researchers found that people differ substantially in how they perceive roughness, with different relationships between skin vibrations, friction, and grain size. The study aims to understand individual differences in tactile sensation and develop an estimation model for perceptual roughness ratings.
A new neural network system developed by Stanford researchers enables autonomous cars to learn from past driving experiences and adapt to unknown conditions. The system performed similarly well as an experienced racecar driver in high-friction and low-friction scenarios, showing promise for improved safety.
A study by the University at Buffalo suggests that tiny structural changes occur at the surface of materials when they come into contact with each other, leading to the triboelectric effect. This phenomenon has the potential to unify existing theory and create more sustainable power sources for small electronic devices.
A joint research team discovered that macroscopic frictions between clay mineral surfaces originate from interatomic electrostatic forces. This finding may facilitate the development of friction-reducing solid lubricants and a deeper understanding of earthquake-causing fault slip mechanisms.
A new model of ice friction offers crucial insight into glacier flows, revealing how cavities form during sliding and influencing ice movement. This discovery has significant implications for understanding sea level rise and climate change.
A new algorithm computes and enables realistic movement and distortion of 3D surfaces, including gravity, contact, and friction. The method allows users to freely design garments around a 3D character without worrying about physics.
Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University have developed hybrid powder materials that decrease friction ratio in metals sevenfold, increasing durability of spare parts. The new materials offer prospects for efficient anti-friction additives, outperforming existing alternatives like Teflon.
Scientists at KIT discovered a sharp line at a depth of 150-200 nm where wear particles are detached, contributing to the later weakness in the material. This finding contributes to understanding processes on the molecular level during friction and may lead to developing materials with better friction properties.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Tsinghua University have discovered microscale superlubricity, achieving ultra-low friction and wear between dissimilar materials under high loads. This breakthrough has enormous implications for computer hard discs and ball bearings, leading to potential energy savings and wear prevention.