| Abstract Scope |
With recent developments in soft robotics, novel stimuli-responsive materials are desired for controlling interfacial forces. Hydrogels have been a topic of interest in biotribology for decades due to their biocompatibility, extremely low coefficients of friction, and chemical functional groups similar to those present in biological tribosystems. This work describes several strategies for modulating the balance between physical interactions in the polymer network –via pH, temperature, electrostatic potential, or salt concentration– and thereby, to control the microstructure. Microstructural variations alter the gel’s contact mechanics and thereby friction and/or adhesion in situ. |