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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Uncovering the origins of friction

Objective

Nanotechnology is a new frontier in research and new tools must be developed. As surface to volume ratios become large, engineering at the nanoscale will be dominated by surface science. The study of Contact Mechanics at nanoscales nanotribology- needs to fully account for adhesive forces, third-body interactions and deformation mechanisms at contacting asperities. Understanding these factors as well as the morphological evolution of contact clusters has the potential of explaining the origins of frictional forces and wear. This will guide us in the design of tailored-made lubricants and surface morphologies, which, in turn, will help reduce the high societal cost of wear damage. This ERCstg proposal describes a plan to establish a world-leading group in Contact Mechanics at length scales ranging from the atomic to macroscopic scales relevant to Civil or Mechanical Engineering structural applications. Our approach will have recourse to molecular dynamics coupled with the finite-element method for an accurate description of atomic interactions at the contact surface, and of long-range elastic forces. The project is interdisciplinary as the deepening of our understanding of Contact Mechanics will necessitate Computer Science developments. A central objective of the research will be the release of an open, 3D parallel, finite-element platform dedicated to contact applications. The PI will assemble a team of Engineers and Computer Scientists to ensure a successful and perennial diffusion in the European academic and industrial network. The research will therefore explore the origins of friction, a scientific quest of fundamental importance to many industrial applications, and will also create a stable base for sharing scientific-computing resources.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2009-StG
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
EU contribution
€ 1 773 000,00
Address
BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1
1015 LAUSANNE
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Beneficiaries (1)

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