Articles tagged with Friction
A University of Washington seismologist studied tidal forces on the Cascadia fault and found friction is much lower than previously thought, similar to Teflon. This discovery could improve understanding of when and how faults break, potentially leading to better modeling and prediction of slow-slip quakes and earthquakes.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a nano-coated mesh that repels oil but allows water to pass through. The mesh has potential applications in cleaning oil spills and tracking oil deposits underground.
Engineers from Penn and ExxonMobil have uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind a common anti-wear additive used in motor oil. The study reveals that the additive forms a 'tribofilm' through stress-activated growth, providing a cushion effect against wear and tear.
A new study suggests that Antarctic glaciers are more sensitive to climate change than previously thought due to Coulomb friction. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet's melting rate is significantly increased when accounting for frictional stresses, which can lead to accelerated sea-level rise.
Researchers at Brandeis University have discovered that friction forces are nearly 1,000 times greater than previously thought at the microscopic level. This breakthrough understanding of friction is an important step toward designing next-generation microscopic and nanotechnologies.
Scientists have discovered a way to control friction on ionic surfaces at the nanoscale by applying electrical stimulation and ambient water vapor. This new method allows for both increasing and decreasing friction, offering significant technological implications for energy research and device applications.
Tropical Storm Mekkhala made landfall in the Philippines and tracked north, weakening to a remnant circulation northeast of the islands. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured images of the storm's remnants on January 18 and 20, showing an open circulation center with some clouds and no precipitation.
Researchers Rouzbeh Shahsavari and Saroosh Jalilvand found that atomic-level forces affect the mechanical properties of complex particle-based materials, such as concrete. They suggest new ways to fine-tune chemistry to make concrete less prone to cracking and more suitable for specific applications.
Scientists simulate nano-bearings made of C60 flake to study friction reduction. However, results show no significant decrease in friction when the flake is attached in a way that prevents rotation.
Researchers have published a detailed appraisal of Friction Stir Welding (FSW), a complex welding technique that can join difficult-to-weld materials. The study concludes that FSW has the potential to be increasingly valuable in modern industry, but scientific understanding is still at an early stage.
Researchers discovered that adding fluorine to graphene increases friction on a nanoscale, despite making surfaces water-repellent. The team found that electronic roughness caused by fluorine atoms introduces energy peaks and valleys, leading to increased friction.
Typhoon Matmo made its final landfall in mainland China on July 23, bringing category one winds of 74 knots. The typhoon's center moved inland over southeastern China, with rapid weakening expected due to friction and an approaching trough.
Computer modeling by NASA scientists shows that friction could be key to survival for distant Earth-sized planets in dangerous orbits. Some planets may move into safer orbits faster than expected due to tidal stress-induced friction.
A new paradigm for understanding friction has been developed, showing that how things break and slide are intimately intertwined. This breakthrough study provides a fundamental description of the mechanics driving earthquakes.
Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have developed a new thermodynamic model that improves the reliability of ice friction assessments. The model shows that sliding speed and ice temperature significantly affect surface friction, leading to erroneous interpretations in earlier laboratory measurements.
New research shows ordinary hair conditioner outperforms special nit-removal products in removing head lice eggs. The study found that ordinary conditioners were equally effective in loosening the glue-like substance holding the eggs in place, making them easier to remove.
Research reveals stick insects have developed a way to generate massive friction when walking upright through a hierarchy of grip with the slightest pressure, allowing them to grip but not stick. The insect's hairy friction pads employ three main tricks to increase contact area under pressure, creating a scale or hierarchy of grip.
Researchers have found that properly designed rough surfaces can reduce skin-friction drag in turbulent conditions. The study models fluid flow between two surfaces covered with tiny ridges, which trap air bubbles and create a hydrodynamic cushion.
Researchers observed strong energy loss due to frictional effects near charge density waves. The study has significant implications for controlling nanoscale friction.
Researchers found that long chain DNA with low salt concentration is more conducive to nanopore sequencing, enabling longer reads and potentially reducing costs. This breakthrough has the potential to make gene sequencing more accessible and efficient.
An international team of scientists has measured the 'frictional heat' generated during the rupture of Japan's 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in 2011. The study found that the fault is more slippery than previously thought, with a friction coefficient of 0.08.
Researchers developed a new computer modeling technique incorporating internal friction to simulate realistic cloth behavior. This approach improved wrinkle and fold accuracy, particularly in areas where wrinkles have previously occurred.
Narrow stripes of dirt and rock beneath massive Antarctic glaciers create friction zones that slow the flow of ice toward the sea. The process is strongly affected by how water infiltrates the space between the ice sheet and the bedrock, researchers found.
Disney Research creates an algorithm that artificially stretches skin on a finger, fooling the brain into perceiving a 3D bump. The algorithm enhances visual artifacts with dynamic tactile feedback, enriching user experiences.
Scientists have found that the thickness of sub-surface layers affects frictional forces between two materials, allowing for new ways to control friction. By carefully designing layer structures, friction can be reduced by up to 30%.
Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution provide a new model for understanding the geological source of silent earthquakes along California's San Andreas fault. Creep events originate closer to the surface, a shallower source along the fault, according to the study published in Nature Geoscience.
Scientists have simulated the sliding of 'cold ions' on a substrate, discovering that it transitions from smooth to stick-slip regime based on hole depth and chain inhomogeneity. This study contributes to understanding friction at every scale, with implications for nanotechnology development.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich discover 'desorption stick', a new type of friction that occurs when polymer molecules interact with surfaces. This mechanism depends on the chemical nature of the surface and solvent, not on movement speed or adhesive strength.
Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that a curled path in curling stones is caused by microscopic scratches on the ice sheet produced by the stone's roughness. This scratch-guiding mechanism generates sideway force necessary for curling.
A new study from the University of Sheffield used a test machine to measure friction on tennis court surfaces, finding that sand particle size affects clay court friction, particularly when wet. The research aims to create international standards for court surfaces to inform players about court conditions and improve player safety.
Researchers found that adding pimples to equipment doesn't necessarily improve grip, but rather the density of pimples and texture of mitts matter. Synthetic leather mitts performed best across all conditions, suggesting a need for tailored ball designs for different climates.
Researchers at UCSB developed a new, low-cost method to detect the critical feature of 'stick-slip' friction in cartilage pads, which is more likely to cause wear and damage. This finding has potential for early detection and monitoring of osteoarthritis.
The system uses a novel real-time method to obtain information on road conditions, providing direct warnings to drivers before they notice changes in the road. By transmitting observations from multiple vehicles and sensors, the system can create a real-time slipperiness map, making it safer for all users.
Researchers at Caltech and JAMSTEC developed a new fault model that shows stable segments can behave differently during earthquakes, leading to larger events. This challenges current assumptions about seismic hazard in areas like the San Andreas Fault.
Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography discovered how fault zones weaken in select locations after an earthquake tipping point, creating 'melt welts'. These regions can lead to runaway slip and massive earthquakes. The study addresses the 'low heat flow paradox' and may improve earthquake prediction models.
Scientists studying giant ice avalanches on Iapetus have found that the coefficient of friction is lower than expected, suggesting a new mechanism for reducing friction during landslides. The findings challenge existing theories and provide insights into the mobility of icy moons in the solar system.
A VTT researcher has provided an explanation for sliding friction between solid objects, attributing it to surface energy of materials. The discovery enables quantitative calculation of the friction coefficient and potential manipulation of friction by selecting specific surface materials.
Researchers found that internal friction significantly slows down the protein folding process, making it easier for proteins to get stuck in unfolded states. This understanding could lead to new insights into diseases like Alzheimer's, where misfolded proteins contribute to amyloid plaques.
Researchers have successfully manufactured a full-size ship hull section made entirely from marine-grade titanium using friction stir welding. The development aims to bring titanium into future Navy ship construction, offering high strength, light weight, and corrosion-resistance.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have identified graphene's stress and strain shear modulus and internal friction, shedding light on its structural behavior as a mechanical material. The study suggests CVD-grown single-layer graphene films could be used in nanosensors, providing a vital alternative to existing materials.
A third of car fuel consumption is due to friction loss, which can be reduced with new technologies like surface coatings, lubricant additives, and low-friction tyres. By reducing friction, drivers can save up to 18% fuel consumption within 5-10 years, and carbon dioxide emissions could decrease by 290 million tonnes per year.
Researchers at NIST developed a new software to quantify the friction of graphene, finding that the material becomes more slippery when stacked. The study provides new quantitative data and sheds light on the differences in graphene's friction compared to three-dimensional graphite-like materials.
A team of researchers explains how granular materials change from flowing to solid states through shearing, which can help engineers and manufacturers. They discovered that even without density changes, the discs exhibited a solid state due to the shape of the box changing.
Scientists at Duke University discovered that shear strain can cause particles like coffee beans and coal chunks to jam sooner than expected. This finding challenges previous theories and has implications for designing new composite materials and countermeasures against weapons of mass destruction.
Penn and Brown researchers discovered an aspect of friction on the nanoscale that may lead to a better understanding of earthquakes. The team used atomic force microscopy to simulate rock-on-rock contact with different materials, revealing stark differences in frictional aging.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a high-tech waterproof coating inspired by the unique texture of the Brazilian fern Salvinia molesta. The coating performs similarly to the plant's hairy surface, which traps air and provides stability in water.
Researchers have successfully modified polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to make it nearly a million times more wear-resistant. They use atomic force microscopes and nanoparticles to study the effects of friction on wear and develop new materials to eliminate wear.
Researchers from Italy and Germany created a model to predict friction on rough surfaces in wet conditions, shedding light on the flow of liquid at contact interfaces. The study confirms experimental findings and offers potential applications for creating microstructured tyres with improved grip in rainy weather.
Researchers found that fault surfaces in earthquake zones come into contact only at microscopic points between scattered bumps called asperities. This creates intense heating, known as flash heating, which can reach temperatures of up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Guojun Liu's nanotechnology discovery reduces friction in automobile engines by up to 55%, increasing energy efficiency. The innovation has the potential to improve machine life across various industries beyond automotive.
Researchers at Hebrew University have discovered that basic assumptions about friction are wrong, providing a new means for replicating how earth ruptures develop and possibly enabling prediction of severe earthquakes. The findings offer unprecedented predictive power, estimating both rupture mode and extent of future earthquakes.
Scientists are developing high-tech lubricants and additives to reduce engine friction, which wastes 1 in every 10 gallons of gasoline. These new materials could improve car fuel economy by 3-5 percent, reducing oil waste and energy consumption.
Physicists at NIST have proposed an experiment to test gravity's behavior at very close scales, where electromagnetic forces dominate. The experiment involves suspending a glass bead in a laser beam 'bottle' to measure its motion relative to nearby objects with unprecedented sensitivity.
A team of nanotechnologists used friction force microscopy to study the nanoscale frictional characteristics of four atomically-thin materials. They found that friction increases as the number of atomic layers decreases, regardless of material differences.
Hebrew University researchers describe how frictional strength evolves over time, with a focus on microscopic 'bumps' that govern contact between sliding bodies. The study provides a comprehensive picture of friction's behavior, shedding light on its applications in fields like hard drives and earthquakes.
Researchers investigate how our bodies function, including why we chew food to create a firm blob for safe swallowing. Fingerprints are also examined, with tests suggesting they may aid grip and skin flexibility, but the true purpose remains unknown.
A team of researchers found low-angle normal faults, thought to be stable, can actually slip due to the presence of talc and clays allowing for easy sliding. This challenges previous laboratory experiments that indicated these faults should not move.
Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Florida have launched novel nanomaterials into space to test their wear resistance and conductivity. The materials, developed using advanced manufacturing techniques, are designed to perform better in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and radiation.
Researchers have discovered different friction forces when carbon nanotubes slide along their axis versus perpendicular to it, which could provide a new tool for assembling nanotubes into devices. The findings also offer insight into fundamental friction issues and potentially be used to sort nanotubes according to their chirality.
Researchers used laser tweezers to measure the friction between a single motor protein molecule and its track, showing that proteins work against resistance like macroscopic machines. The findings provide insight into the efficiency of kinesin motors and their role in cell division and muscle function.