2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Development of bio-inspired hydrogel focusing on hierarchical and anisotropic structure of articular cartilage
| Project/Area Number |
21K03840
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Review Section |
Basic Section 18040:Machine elements and tribology-related
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| Research Institution | Kyushu University (2022-2023)
Tokyo Metropolitan University (2021) |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | ハイドロゲル / 摩擦 / 階層構造 / 固液二相潤滑 / 軟骨 |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
This study focused on the role of hierarchical structure in the lubricating function of hydrogels, aiming at the development of bioinspired hydrogels focusing on the structure of articular cartilage. We developed a hierarchical hydrogel with a low elastic modulus and high permeability on the friction side and a high elastic modulus and low permeability on the lower layer, referring to the structure of cartilage. It was found that the frictional properties change depending on the thickness and ratio of the low and high elastic layers. When the frictional contact area moves, the thinner low elasticity layer suppresses lateral deformation and water flow, resulting in reduced friction. However, when the contact area does not move, friction increase due to increased contact pressure and squeezing out of interstitial water of hydrogel.
These results indicated the possibility of controlling friction and improving friction properties by imparting a hierarchical structure to hydrogels.
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| Free Research Field |
トライボロジー
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| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
ハイドロゲルは水潤滑下で優れた潤滑機能を発揮しうる材料であり，機械要素の摩擦面材料としての応用の可能性が提唱されている．本研究は，ハイドロゲルを用いた超潤滑システム構築のために，天然のハイドロゲルであり水潤滑下で超潤滑が実現可能な関節軟骨に着目し，その特異的構造が潤滑機能において果たす役割を明らかにし，その機能のハイドロゲルへの実装を目指すものである．本研究により示された階層構造による摩擦低減効果およびその仕組みを活用することにより，機械的構造の制御によるハイドロゲルの低摩擦化が可能となり，ハイドロゲルを用いた超潤滑摩擦システムの構築へとつながる可能性を有している．
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