Then they have created an oil-free super-lubricant developed from potato proteins, which could provide a new insight not only for sustainable engineering but also in biomedical applications.
Mimicking Nature’s Brilliance
What really sets the new lubricant apart, according to MIT researchers who developed it, is its ability to replicate the type of super lubricity or ultralow friction between cartilage and a protein in synovial fluid that helps articulate human joints. This is an important advance, as there has previously been no way to create a water-based lubricant that was environmentally safe, effective and economical.
Historically, aqueous lubricants have greatly depended on materials generated through synthetic chemistry. Yet the interdisciplinary team that developed this innovation decided to use alternative proteins like potato protein, reducing the eco- impact of these building blocks. These proteins are by product of natural sources, hence the carbon footprint of lubricant will be reduced. Through this self-assembly route, the team was able to generate a patchy nanoarchitecture of plant protein-based protofilaments in biopolymeric hydrogels that exhibited superior lubrication characteristics.
Uncovered Infinite Opportunities
The possible applications for this breakthrough lubricant are numerous and thrilling. This has the potential to underpin an entirely new class of engineered biomedical material — think artificial synovial fluid, tears and saliva. It could also be applied in low-calorie foods that would enable manufacturers to make lower-fat products without losing the satisfaction of higher-fat varieties.
The study involved experts from the University of Leeds, King’s College London and INRAE in France as well as the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel who worked together extensively to make this break-through possible. This approach led to the unexpected discovery of a self-limiting mechanism of protein molecular growth that dictates nanoscale surface interactions and resolved an apparent controversy in plant biology on whether pollen-unique hybrid-proline-rich proteins are local or connected through sacrificial bonds.
The international nature of this project also played a big role in its success, as researchers had access to multiple institutions and areas of expertise. Commenting on the publication, Professor Jacob Klein from the Weizmann Institute of Science said, “The publication of this exciting work is the culmination of contacts with Professor Sarkar dating back to 2019 and provides an excellent example of international collaboration where overall achievement greatly exceeds that which one can achieve alone.
Conclusion
The creation of this new super-lubricant is a big step in the right direction for engineering and biomedical advancements in both sustainable and environmentally friendly design. The new lubricant would be practical as well as healing the environment and was achieved by using natural materials for development, this not only make it best functional lubricant but also is a great step towards sustainable living for our future. While the world continues to address the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, advancements like this demonstrate the potential for a more environmentally-friendly, sustainable future.
