Story perspectives

Study Reveals Friction Occurs Without Contact, Challenging Established Law

4/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at the University of Konstanz, led by Hongri Gu, challenge Guillaume Amontons' friction law by showing friction can occur without contact via magnetic interactions.
Nature Materials published the study.
Experiments with two magnetic layers show friction varies with distance, weakest at close and far separations and strongest midway.
The results imply friction arises from internal reorganization rather than surface contact, potentially impacting micro- and nanoelectromechanical devices.

1 of 1

Story summary

Researchers at the University of Konstanz, led by Hongri Gu, challenge Guillaume Amontons' friction law by showing friction can occur without contact via magnetic interactions.
Nature Materials published the study.
Experiments with two magnetic layers show friction varies with distance, weakest at close and far separations and strongest midway.
The results imply friction arises from internal reorganization rather than surface contact, potentially impacting micro- and nanoelectromechanical devices.