BioSlide Project Aims to Revolutionize Sliding Systems with Superlubricity
A new research project is exploring ways to make sliding systems more sustainable and energy-efficient. The BioSlide initiative, led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (IWS), focuses on achieving superlubricity—a state where friction nearly disappears. By March 2026, three German industry partners have already joined the effort to replace conventional materials with bio-based alternatives. Superlubricity occurs when the coefficient of friction drops below 0.01, drastically cutting heat, wear, and energy use in technical systems. To reach this, the project uses tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings, which can be applied to non-conductive materials via a laser arc process—eliminating the need for mechanical post-processing.
The team, led by Dr. Stefan Makowski of Fraunhofer IWS, is testing bio-based plastics and wood fibre composites as load-bearing components. These materials would pair with bio-based lubricants to create sliding systems with extremely low friction. The goal is to transfer existing superlubrication techniques into fully sustainable material and lubricant combinations. By March 2026, the project had secured collaboration from three German companies: **BioTech Solutions GmbH** (biotechnology), **MedTech Innovations AG** (medical technology), and **PharmaLab KG** (pharmaceuticals). Their involvement signals growing industry interest in greener, high-performance sliding systems.
The BioSlide project aims to prove that bio-based materials can match—or exceed—the performance of traditional sliding systems. If successful, the technology could lower energy consumption in machinery while reducing reliance on fossil-based lubricants. The first industry partnerships suggest potential real-world applications across multiple sectors.
