Water droplet lubrication for micromachines

Water droplets placed on hydrophilic surface decrease the friction coefficient in the process of sliding over the hydrophobic surface. The droplets placed between these surfaces sustain loads of up to 170 mN and the friction coefficient for these surfaces is equal to 1.1 . 10(-3). The low value of the friction coefficient is explained by the losses of energy for the adhesion hysteresis of water on the hydrophobic surface. In micromachines, the procedure of lubrication with water droplets efficiently decreases the friction coefficient due to the repulsion of water from the hydrophobic surface.