In 1966 Peter Joss released a pivotal report (see footnotes) identifying that mechanical friction and wear cost the UK’s economy and founded the tribology discipline – the science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative motion. Although many scientific and engineering improvements have been made since then it is worth considering the work done by our materials scientists together with mechanical and lubrication engineers in reducing friction and consequent energy inefficiency and wear and tear and the remaining huge potential.

Read physicist and science communicator Laurie Winkless’s book “Sticky: The Secret Science of Surfaces”, listen to Cara Santa Maria talk to Laurie on Talk Nerdy podcast with Laurie, and discover what a viscoelastic material is! Phillip Adams’ Late Night Live also has an episode here. Amazing to hear and realize the implications of 20% of the global transport industry’s energy consumption is used to overcome friction! (A Nature magazine review of Laurie Winkless’s book is here).

The BBC’s Rutherford and Fry Curious Cases also did a podcast on the subject here with Professor Fry having studied fluid dynamics for some years. It came complete with a cat joke (although it needs to be said that the Greek letter mu = µ [pronounced mew, and derived from the Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol for an early lubricant – water!] is used for the coefficient of friction).

Question: “Two cats are on a roof. Which one fell off first?”

Answer: “The one with the smallest mew!”

And who knew that the tannin concentration in water on railway tracks lowers the coefficient of friction more dramatically than some manmade lubricants, making for regular delays in the UK rail network.

International Tribology Council website

AIP Physics of Fluids journal article on hydroplaning by study author Damien Cabut.

An American Society of Mechanical Engineers article on tribology applications here

Youtube video on Tribology by Institute of Mechanical Engineers

Martini Research Group video on Tribology giving clear explanation of the interaction of friction, wear and lubrication. ( Professor Ashlie Martini features in the Curious Cases podcast)

Products (free standard delivery) Featuring Tribology -Related Designs:

 

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Featured professionals:

Professor Ashlie Martini (California University Merced)

Professor Roger Lewis (University of Sheffield)

Professor Mark Miodownik (University College London)

(See also http://www.markmiodownik.net/ for

 

AIP Physics of Fluids journal article on hydroplaning by study author Damien Cabut.

 

Footnotes:

1 Jost, Peter (1966). "Lubrication (Tribology) - A report on the present position and industry's needs". Department of Education and Science, H. M. Stationery Office, London, UK.