Abstract
The application of tribological knowledge is not just restricted to optimizing mechanical and chemical engineering problems. In fact, effective solutions to friction and wear related questions can be found in our everyday life. An important part is related to skin tribology, as the human skin is frequently one of the interacting surfaces in relative motion. People seem to solve these problems related to skin friction based upon a trial-and-error strategy and based upon on our sense for touch. The question of course rises whether or not a trained tribologist would make different choices based upon a science based strategy? In other words: Is skin friction part of the larger knowledge base that has been generated during the last decades by tribology research groups and which could be referred to as Science Friction? This paper discusses the specific nature of tribological systems that include the human skin and argues that the living nature of skin limits the use of conventional methods. Skin tribology requires in vivo, subject and anatomical location specific test methods. Current predictive friction models can only partially be applied to predict in vivo skin friction. The reason for this is found in limited understanding of the contact mechanics at the asperity level of product-skin interactions. A recently developed model gives the building blocks for enhanced understanding of friction at the micro scale. Only largely simplified power law based equations are currently available as general engineering tools. Finally, the need for friction control is illustrated by elaborating on the role of skin friction on discomfort and comfort. Surface texturing and polymer brush coatings are promising directions as they provide way and means to tailor friction in sliding contacts without the need of major changes to the product.
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Emile VAN DER HEIDE holds the chair “Skin Tribology” at the Laboratory for Surface Technology and Tribology, Faculty of Engineering Technology at the University of Twente. His current research focuses on skin friction fundamentals, sensing & control of friction in product-skin interactions and on bio inspired interfaces. He worked for the Dutch Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO as researcher, programme leader and senior scientist in Tribology since 1995. In 2002 he received his PhD from the University of Twente in Tribology on lubricant failure in sheet metal forming processes. He is currently active in more than 15 European and national projects on materials and tribology as Principal Investigator or Coordinator.
Marc MASEN is a senior lecturer in mechanical engineering and industrial design engineering at the University of Twente. He obtained his PhD in 2004 on wear mechanisms in sheet metal forming processes. After this, he worked as a research scientist for Hydro Aluminium Extrusion, in the UK and Belgium. His research interests include the tribology of viscoelastic materials, wear mechanisms and friction of the human skin, with special attention to the prevention of decubitus ulcers. As a Principal Investigator, he has obtained over 2Meuros in research funding, e.g., from the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, the European Union or directly by Industry. He has delivered over 40 papers in scientific journals and to international conferences.
Xiangqiong ZENG. Assistant professor, obtained her Master degree in Applied Chemistry in 2003 and PhD degree in Material Science and Engineering in 2006 from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Her PhD research was on the design and tribological study of environmental friendly boundary lubrication additives. She worked for the Emerging Market Innovation Center of Johnson & Johnson (China) and Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacific R&D Center (Singapore) during 2006–2010 as staff scientist in Skin Care technology. Since 2011, she is appointed as a tenure track assistant professor at the University of Twente (UT). She is currently active in the research on bio-inspired tribological interfaces design, tribo-mechanical and tribo-chemical modeling of product-tissue interactions, skin comfort prediction and surface/interface layers in hydration lubrication, with grants from UT UTWIST program, UT Incentive Fund, European FP7 Marie Curie Career Integration Grant and Double Degree program between UT and SJTU. She has published around 20 papers in peer-reviewed international journals, 5 patents, one book and one book chapter.
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Van Der Heide, E., Zeng, X. & Masen, M.A. Skin tribology: Science friction?. Friction 1, 130–142 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-013-0015-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-013-0015-1