Master by Research: Boundary lubricaiton by nonionic surfactants

Inspired by the hydration lubrication mechanism conjectured to be responsible for the remarkable biolubrication process, Jame has performed AFM friction measurement bewteen a silica microparticle and a silica substrate, both coated with a nonionic surfactant bilayer. The results show in general two regimes in the friction-load curves, indicating structural transformation of the bilayers upon increased pressure.

James is writing up his thesis at the moment.