Surface Forces and Friction

Dear Colleagues,

Friction as one of the oldest problems in physics and engineering is inevitably associated with surface forces. Although it has been studied intensively for centuries there are still unresolved issues of fundamental nature related to the origin of friction and its irreversibility, the role of dynamical phase transitions in molecularly thin lubricant layers, the mechanism of boundary layer formation by nano-lubricants, the importance of surface texture in friction and lubrication. The ability to produce effective low-friction surfaces either by the use of lubricating fluids or by the modification of contacting surfaces has become an important factor in the miniaturisation of moving components in many engineering devices such as magnetic storage, recording systems, miniature motors, and components in micro-machines.

The purpose of this special issue is to create a platform for scientists, engineers and practitioners to present their latest theoretical and technological advancements in the understanding of phenomenon of friction and its association with surface forces.

The solicited papers should contain original ideas and new approaches, with clear indication of advances made in problem formulation, methodology, or application with respect to existing and know results. Papers presenting newly emerging areas in the studies of surface forces and friction are especially welcome.

Scope of the Special Issue

Topics to be covered in this special issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• sliding on clean (dry) surfaces
• sliding on lubricated surfaces
• sliding of adsorbed layers
• boundary lubrication by nano-fluids
• lubricated friction dynamics in molecularly thin layers
• novel sliding systems
• friction and lubrication of engineered surfaces
• surface topography role in friction
• measurement of surface forces contribution to friction

Prof. Dr. Tadeusz Stolarski
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Lubricants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• dry sliding
• lubricated sliding
• boundary lubrication
• sliding on surface oxides
• nano-fluids lubrication
• lubricated friction dynamics
• novel sliding systems
• engineered surfaces (friction)
• surface topography and friction
• surface forces’ measurement
• friction under complex kinematics