Epipolé Group

          Friction is a ubiquitous manifestation of nature. The aim to understand this process is one of the most challenging fields of tribology that relates to the connection between phenomenological engineering models (macroscale) and fundamental physical laws (nano- and atomic scale). The understanding of this natural phenomenon will aid in the improvement and development of technologies for reduction or virtual elimination of friction, resulting in energy efficiency in different industrial sectors.

          The forces of friction are not conservative: they convert kinetic energy, due to the sliding between two bodies, in internal energy as lost work (heat), increasing the entropy of the universe, thus enabling the walk of our day by day.

          Atomic processes where the frictional energy is dissipated include collective vibrations in form of acoustic or optical phonons, as well as localized modes of vibration of the atoms and molecules in an interface, which can lead to the rupture of chemical bonds. Another form is through the excitation of electrons to unoccupied energy levels where their degeneracy results in fluorescence, excitation of phonons, or ruptures of chemical bonds, such ruptures and the high energy of the electrons can result in phototransmissions, which are studied in triboluminescence. In addition, there are magnetic, electronic and electrical contributions in the friction.

          Therefore, this phenomenon and its relationship with the most diverse manifestations of nature is the main focus of this research line.