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Tribologist
Studies friction, wear, and lubrication between surfaces in contact.
Did you know?
About 23% of the world's energy use goes into friction and wear in machines, a 2017 study estimated, which is what tribologists try to cut.
How subjects help
- Physics: Measure the friction between two surfaces as they slide and rub against each other.
- Chemistry: Develop oils and greases that stop engine parts grinding and wearing out.
- Engineering: Design bearings, gears and joints that last longer, from bike chains to artificial hips.
- Mathematics: Predict how quickly a part will wear down so it can be replaced before it fails.
A famous name
Peter Jost: Engineer who coined the word 'tribology' in 1966 and founded the science of friction and wear.
Try it yourself: Test surfaces on a sliding ramp
- Rest one end of the book or tray on a low pile of books to make a gentle ramp.
- Put the bottle cap at the top and let go. Does it slide?
- Tape a different surface over the ramp (tea towel, foil, paper) and try again from the same spot.
- Rank the surfaces from most slippery to most grippy. Add or remove books to find the lowest slope where the cap starts to slide on each surface.
Tribologists and materials scientists measure friction between surfaces to design grippier tyres and shoes, and slipperier parts inside engines and machines.
Adapted from TeachEngineering (University of Colorado Boulder): Engineering Friction and Grip.
Also try: Stretch test: which material bounces back?.
Known for it in
Germany, UK, USA, Japan, Sweden