{
  "id": 10417126,
  "title": "The secret world of tribology",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/the-secret-world-of-tribology",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-28T10:00:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Physics World",
    "slug": "physics-world",
    "url": "https://physicsworld.com/a/the-secret-world-of-tribology/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tribology, a field with deep connections to materials science, has long been a well-guarded secret. Originating from the Greek words \"tribos,\" meaning rubbing, the discipline aims to minimize friction and wear between moving surfaces. Its history dates back to ancient civilizations, with examples such as the use of wood log rollers by ancient Egyptians to transport heavy stone blocks during pyramid construction around 4600 BCE.\n\nThe field gained prominence in 1500 when Leonardo da Vinci incorporated ball bearings into his conceptual design for a helicopter. In 1740, John Harrison invented caged roller bearings for his marine chronometer, marking further advancements in the field. However, it wasn't until the mid-1960s that the term \"tribology\" was coined by British engineer and entrepreneur Peter Jost, following discussions with the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. The word is derived from the Greek \"tribos,\" meaning rubbing, and was chosen due to its Greek basis, making it easily adaptable across various languages.\n\nTribology primarily focuses on reducing friction and wear, which involves a deep understanding of materials and lubrication. Initially, the main focus was on industrial and mechanical components, such as bearings, gears, brakes, and clutches. The importance of tribology became evident in a 1964 conference organized by the Iron and Steel Institute and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), where it was discovered that plant machinery failures were often due to poor lubrication rather than industrial issues.\n\nThe resulting \"Jost report\" highlighted the economic benefits of good tribological practices, estimating that the UK could save between 1% and 1.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP), equating to approximately £30 billion today. More recent studies suggest that 20% of the world's energy consumption occurs in tribological contacts, and with proper practices, up to 40% of this energy loss could be mitigated. Tribology encompasses various interdisciplinary aspects, including materials science, lubrication design, surface engineering, wear mechanisms, and even medical, food, and cosmetics applications.",
  "summary": "Honor Powrie pays tribute to the work of tribologists The post The secret world of tribology appeared first on Physics World .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}