Designing new lubricant additives using biomimetics

Nature produces some complex nanocomposite structures having the following properties, self-healing capability, functional gradation and smartness. These properties are all required of tribofilms in the field of lubrication technology where their structure, formation and removal rate and smartness are key to their ability to maintain fuel economy and durability. In this paper the potential for using biomimetic principles in the field of tribology and specifically as a means of improving tribological performance in the boundary lubrication regime is investigated. The paper initially describes the challenges associated with operating tribological contacts in the boundary lubrication regime, assesses the need for new approaches to lubrication and gives a preliminary appraisal of biomimetic principles applied to this engineering problem.