Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Perspectives on the future of skin-prosthetic interactions.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same author

A Coarse-Grained MARTINI Model for Mucins.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2025
Same author

Characterization of mouse artery tissue properties using experimental testing combined with finite element modelling.

Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials·2025
Same author

Skin adaptation in lower limb amputees assessed through Raman spectroscopy and mechanical characterization.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2025
Same author

A new method for determining the ogden parameters of soft materials using indentation experiments.

Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials·2024
Same author

Characterization of Temperature and Humidity Dependence in Soft Elastomer Behavior.

Soft robotics·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
09:39

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications

Published on: February 7, 2021

8.6K

A lubrication replenishment theory for hydrogels.

Elze Porte1, Philippa Cann, Marc Masen

  • 1Tribology Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK.

Soft Matter
|October 13, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Hydrogel lubrication for joint replacements depends on contact configuration. Optimal performance requires sufficient lubricant replenishment, achieved when stroke length exceeds contact width, unlike overlapping configurations that cause high friction.

More Related Videos

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning
12:07

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Published on: April 16, 2018

13.9K
Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde
07:04

Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde

Published on: November 11, 2022

2.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
09:39

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications

Published on: February 7, 2021

8.6K
Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning
12:07

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Published on: April 16, 2018

13.9K
Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde
07:04

Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde

Published on: November 11, 2022

2.8K

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Tribology
  • Orthopedic Engineering

Background:

  • Hydrogels offer less invasive alternatives to total joint replacements but exhibit inferior tribological performance compared to articular cartilage.
  • Current lubrication theories inadequately describe hydrogel friction, necessitating a deeper understanding of lubrication mechanisms for performance optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate hydrogel lubrication mechanisms under simulated physiological sliding conditions.
  • To determine the impact of contact dimensions and stroke length on lubricant replenishment in hydrogel contacts.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized fluorescent imaging to study lubricating conditions in a hydrogel contact.
  • Employed a reciprocating configuration to analyze the effects of contact dimension and stroke length.
  • Examined lubricant replenishment dynamics in both hydrogel and natural cartilage contacts.

Main Results:

  • Hydrogel lubrication is highly dependent on contact configuration.
  • A 'migrating' configuration (stroke length > contact width) ensures uniform lubrication and low friction.
  • An 'overlapping' configuration (stroke length < contact width) leads to incomplete lubricant replenishment and high friction.

Conclusions:

  • Lubricant replenishment theory is crucial for developing advanced joint replacement materials.
  • The observed non-replenishment mechanism in hydrogels is also present in cartilage, suggesting broader applicability.
  • Understanding these lubrication dynamics is vital, as physiological joints often operate in overlapping contact modes where steady-state lubrication is not guaranteed.