Low friction coatings tech news
On October 2, 2026, researchers from the University of Newcastle, in collaboration with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), announced a breakthrough in adaptive surface engineering published in Chemistry of Materials. The team developed scalable smart silicone coatings featuring responsive polymer brush architectures capable of dynamically altering their slipperiness and adhesion based on the surrounding liquid environment. Utilizing neutron reflectometry at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, the researchers characterized the nanoscale structural transitions governing the coating's lubricity. The resulting responsive, ultra--low--friction platform provides new design pathways for smart lubrication systems, microfluidic channels, low--fouling surfaces, and minimally invasive biomedical devices.