5706.2:
Nanobiotribology: Biological and bioinspired approaches to lubrication by means of biolubricants and controlled surface nano architecture (Project of the TOP NANO 21 Innovation commitee)
Abstract
Nature contains many systems where biomolecules are used to facilitate lubrication, generally in aqueous media. The precise modes of operation of these lubricants are not well understood, although many consist of well-known proteins and lipids. A better understanding of these systems has two major benefits: firstly in the design of better implanted joints, that can more favorably interact with the available biomolecules, and secondly in the potential use of biological (or bioinspired) mechanisms for lubrication of industrial systems. Such water-based systems are inherently renewable, would have tremendous environmental advantages over existing oil-based solutions, and have the potential of being much more effective.
This project brings together expertise in the areas of both macro and nanotribology, proteins, lipids, peptides, self-assembly, surface analysis, and computation, in order to attempt the first significant move forward in understanding this complex field.