Interactive Surfaces, INM

Interactive Surfaces

Our research department studies the mechanical properties of materials with a focus on surfaces. We aim to understand mechanisms of adhesion, friction, and wear through innovative experiments and to contribute to the design of new materials with mechanical functions. Example projects address the contact mechanics of novel lubricants, the nanomechanics of biomaterials, and the tactile perception of micro-structured materials.

Aleeza-Farrukh, INM – Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien gGmbH
Prof. Dr. Roland Bennewitz
Head of Interactive Surfaces
Telefon: +49 (0)681-9300-213
Team Members
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-213
E-mail: roland.bennewitz@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-238
E-mail: sukanya.das@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-453
E-mail: fabian.faller@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-113
E-mail: maja.fehlberg@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-238
E-mail: yan.fett@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-359
E-mail: mustafa.goektepe@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-153/280
E-mail: luis.cervantes@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-416
E-mail: KimMichele.Jost@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-330
E-mail: inga.melnyk@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-272
E-mail: sairam.saikumar@leibniz-inm.de
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-239
E-mail: florence.schmerber@leibniz-inm.de
Research

Molecular mechanics of soft matter

We use high-resolution force microscopy (AFM) in aqueous solution to study molecular forces at the surface of soft matter. Single-molecule force spectroscopy on hydrogels contributes to the understanding and control of the mechanisms of bioadhesion and mechanotransduction on biomaterials. In active materials, we employ light-activated molecular motors for the mechanical stimulation. For rapid force measurements on the single-molecular level, we develop novel high-throughput techniques based on tethered-particle motion in microfluidic devices.

Relevant publications:

Nanotribology

Friction force microscopy in ultra-high vacuum or in aqueous solutions reveals molecular mechanisms of friction. As one example, we investigate the limits of superlubricity in 2D materials under high local pressure. We also move our research towards a nanotribology of hydrogels and study dissipative interactions of single fluctuating polymers.

Relevant publications:

Tactile perception of materials

Fingertip friction plays a key role in the tactile exploration of materials and in the perception of material properties and surfaces structures. We implement psychophysical studies to find correlations between fingertip friction and individual judgement on touch of materials.

Relevant publications:

Materials for the future of tactile communication

Materials with switchable surface structure offer opportunities to quickly convey information to humans by varying the touch experience. We develop micro-structured elastomers which change the surface shape by applied electric fields or pneumatic mechanisms. The sensory reaction to such stimulation of touch is evaluated by EEG and MEG experiments.

Relevant publications:

Publications

Bending as Key Mechanism in the Tactile Perception of Fibrillar Surfaces

Gedsun, Angelika | Sahli, Riad | Meng, Xing | Hensel, René | Bennewitz, Roland

Advanced Materials Interfaces , 2022, 9 (4), 2101380.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/admi.202101380

OPEN ACCESS Discover more
Phase diagram studies for the growth of (Mg,Zr):SrGa12O19 crystals

Klimm, Detlef | Szczefanowicz, Bartosz | Wolff, Nora | Bickermann, Matthias

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry , 2021, 147 7133–7139.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-021-11050-4

OPEN ACCESS Discover more
Optoregulated force application to cellular receptors using molecular motors

Zheng, Yijun | Han, Mitchell K. L. | Zhao, Renping | Blass, Johanna | Zhang, Jingnan | Zhou, Dennis W. | Colard-Itté, Jean-Rémy | Dattler, Damien | Çolak, Arzu | Hoth, Markus | García, Andrés J. | Qu, Bin | Bennewitz, Roland | Giuseppone, Nicolas | del Campo, Aránzazu

Nature Communications , 2021, 12 (1), 3580.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23815-4

OPEN ACCESS Discover more
Nanomechanics of self-assembled DNA building blocks

Penth, Michael | Schnellnhuber, Kordula | Bennewitz, Roland | Blass, Johanna

Nanoscale , 2021, 13 9371-9380.
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR06865A

OPEN ACCESS Discover more
Nanoscale friction and growth of surface oxides on a metallic glass under electrochemical polarization

Ma, Haoran | Bennewitz, Roland

Tribology International , 2021, 158 106925.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301679X21000736

OPEN ACCESS Discover more
Tactile perception of randomly rough surfaces

Sahli, Riad | Prot, Aubin | Wang, Anle | Müser, Martin H. | Piovarči, Michal | Didyk, Piotr | Bennewitz, Roland

Scientific Reports , 2020, 10 (1), 15800.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72890-y

OPEN ACCESS Discover more
Role of Hair Coverage and Sweating for Textile Friction on the Forearm

Lyu, Jingchun | Özgün, Novaf | Kondziela, David J. | Bennewitz, Roland

Tribology Letters , 2020, 68 (4), 100_1-9.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-020-01341-6

OPEN ACCESS Discover more
Molecular Rheology of a Nanometer-Confined Ionic Liquid

Krämer, Günther | Bennewitz, Roland

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C , 2019, 123 (46), 28284-28290.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.9b09058

Single layer graphene induces load-bearing molecular layering at the hexadecane-steel interface

Krämer, Günther | Kim, C. | Kim, Kwang-Seop | Bennewitz, Roland

Nanotechnology , 2019, 30 (46), 46LT01-1-4.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/ab3cab

OPEN ACCESS Discover more
Molecular kinetics and cooperative effects in friction and adhesion of fast reversible bonds

Blass, Johanna | Bozna, Bianca | Albrecht, Marcel | Wenz, Gerhard | Bennewitz, Roland

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics , 2019, 21 (31), 17170-17175.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C9CP03350E

1 2 3 4 10