University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Polyacrylamide hydrogel friction controlled by time-dependent surface energy due to poroelastic relaxation

Reale, Erik Richard

Content Files
REALE-THESIS-2016.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90972

Description

Title
Polyacrylamide hydrogel friction controlled by time-dependent surface energy due to poroelastic relaxation
Author(s)
Reale, Erik Richard
Issue Date
2016-04-28
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Dunn, Alison C.
Department of Study
Mechanical Sci & Engineering
Discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2016-07-07T21:18:10Z
Keyword(s)
  • hydrogel
  • tribology
  • poroelasticity
  • adhesion
Abstract
This thesis explores the control of friction by varying contact area, contact time, and sliding speed of polyacrylamide hydrogel. With a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon, hydrogels could be designed with targeted friction behavior, and be used to design surfaces for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Polyacrylamide gels were tested to quantify how the coefficient of friction changes under different conditions. Unlike common single-phase materials, hydrogels store water within a hydrophilic polymer matrix, in which the fluid can flow under applied pressure. It is known that this mass transfer contributes to lubrication, though there is not yet a direct connection. We find that mass transfer results in a local concentration of polymer, adhering and increasing the energy needed to move contacting surfaces. The final result is a coefficient of friction which depends on sliding speed, diffusivity, elastic modulus, applied load, and surface energy.
Graduation Semester
2016-05
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90972
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2016 Erik Reale

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Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois