This report results from a contract tasking ETH Zurich as follows: The objective of the program was to understand the fundamental nature of structure, the influence of applied forces, and the role of solvent incorporation existing at solvated polymer-polymer under shearing conditions. This objective was to be realized through 1) the systematic elucidation of the modes of interaction between polymer surfaces, 2) the quantitative measurement of complexed solvent, and 3) the fundamental measurement of interfacial friction forces as a function of interfacial composition and structure. The experimental program was aimed at measuring interfacial forces over a range of length scales, for sets of systematically prepared and well-characterized polymer and biopolymer interfaces. The fundamental goal of the program was to predict/identify the function of aqueous-based tribological systems lubricated for military applications. The applied aim of the program was to provide design criteria and performance limitation of low-friction biological and/or bioinspired interfaces.
