Bio-tribology and bio-mimetics in the operating environment

Abstract

The main objectives of this review are to draw attention to some of the interesting and exciting studies of human and animal tribology and to introduce the growing field of bio-mimetics. Studies of natural and total replacement synovial joints are widely known and spectacular progress has been reported in both fields. However, it is becoming ever more important to link engineering and biology and to apply sound tribological principles in the further development of long-lasting total joint replacements. In this article, accounts will be given for a wider range of fascinating tribological features of biological systems, embracing friction, lubrication, and wear. These include animal locomotion, swimming, adhesion and attachment to adjacent surfaces, oral tribology, skin and ocular tribology. Bio-mimetic approaches to engineering problems, in which lessons have been learned from comparable solutions in the natural world, have been impressive, but they have not yet been widely applied in tribology. The challenge remains with prospects of ever closer association between bio-tribology and bio-mimetics.