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Updated: May 27, 2025

Experiments on Ultrasonic Lubrication Using a Piezoelectrically-assisted Tribometer and Optical Profilometer
Published on: September 28, 2015
Tribology in Nature: Inspirations for Advanced Lubrication Materials
Chenxi Qin1, Hao Yang1,2, Yaqiong Lu1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
Abstract:
Friction-induced energy consumption is a significant global concern, driving researchers to explore advanced lubrication materials. In nature, lubrication is vital for the life cycle of animals, plants, and humans, playing key roles in movement, predation, and decomposition. After billions of years of evolution, natural lubrication exhibits remarkable professionalism, high efficiency, durability, and intelligence, offering valuable insights for designing advanced lubrication materials. This review focuses on the lubrication mechanisms of natural organisms and significant advancements in biomimetic soft matter lubrication materials. It begins by summarizing common biological lubrication behaviors and their underlying mechanisms, followed by current design strategies for biomimetic soft matter lubrication materials. The review then outlines the development and performance of these materials based on different mechanisms and strategies. Finally, it discusses potential research directions and prospects for soft matter lubrication materials. This review will be a valuable resource for advancing research in biomimetic lubrication materials.
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