Liquid-Crystal Nanomaterials: Tribology and Applications (Springer Series in Materials Science Book 267)

This book discusses the tribological, rheological and optical properties of liquid-crystal nanomaterials as well as lubricant media. It also describes the formation of liquid-crystal materials and the application of cholesteric liquid-crystal compounds in technical friction units and in human and animal joints. Further, it shows the connection between the tribological and other physical properties of liquid-crystal cholesterol compounds and develops a lubricity conceptual model of cholesteric–nematic, liquid-crystalline nanostructures on the basis of physical and energetic interpretations. This general model is valid for all surfaces and friction pairs, including biopolymers, and could lead to applications of cholesteric liquid-crystalline nanomaterials in different friction units and tribosystems as well as in the treatment of joint diseases. Front Matter ....Pages i-xvi Structure and Properties of Liquid-Crystal Nanomaterials (Sergey F. Ermakov, Nikolai K. Myshkin)....Pages 1-20 Tribology and Lubrication of Solids (Sergey F. Ermakov, Nikolai K. Myshkin)....Pages 21-99 Engineering and Technique of Experimental Tests of Liquid-Crystal Nanomaterials (Sergey F. Ermakov, Nikolai K. Myshkin)....Pages 101-141 Tribological Properties of Liquid-Crystal Nanomaterials (Sergey F. Ermakov, Nikolai K. Myshkin)....Pages 143-186 Practical Application of Liquid-Crystal Nanomaterial in Engineering and Medicine (Sergey F. Ermakov, Nikolai K. Myshkin)....Pages 187-207 Back Matter ....Pages 209-215