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Biomimetic water lubrication - BIOWAL Goal The BIOWAL project focuses on lubrication, which in the present industrialized society is dependent on oils containing various environmentally harmful additives. Lubrication is of immense importance, as it has been estimated that the majority the energy produced in the world is lost in friction. For sustainable future, a major change from oil-based lubrication systems to green, water-based lubrication is inevitable. Water lubrication has been used in some applications, but its more extensive use is limited by the poor boundary lubrication properties of water, i.e., the capability of preventing direct contact between surfaces. Boundary lubrication is necessary for low friction and low wear in numerous engineering applications, where a true lubrication film separating the surfaces cannot be achieved. In order to make an extensive use of water lubrication possible, the problem of boundary lubrication must be solved. This requires development of effective boundary lubrication additives. In nature, there are examples of water-based lubrication systems showing extremely low friction and wear, such as the natural synovial joint consisting of articular cartilage and capsule, and synovial fluid. In this research we are analysing natural systems and applying biotechnology to improve water lubrication. Learning from natural systems and applying this knowledge to engineering is called biomimetics. The basic idea is to develop, using a biomimetic approach, a new,
green lubrication principle, biomimetic water lubrication, in which
the crucial boundary lubrication layer is formed by biomolecules.
Biomolecules can form multilayer, hierarchic, self-healing
nanostructures on surfaces.
Additional information: Tiina Ahlroos, project manager,
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