Research Areas

  • Physical and Electrical Properties of Polymers
  • Triboelectricity 
  • Surface Chemistry 
  • Tribochemistry and Snythesis of Nanomaterials
  • Lubrication and Control of Friction 
The research interest of our group consists of all electrical, physical, and chemical changes that happen when surfaces get into contact. We examine, analyze and tailor surfaces at molecular and nano level to modify their properties in the macro dimensions and reflect these on applications in the various technologies e.g. electronics, air-space, and polymer manufacture. Our state-of-the art research aims to find answers to scientific questions of tribocharging that have been asked for centuries, as well as to produce valuable products using these answers.

Triboelectricity of Polymers

Polymers are the most encountered materials in our everyday life with a rapid growth of utilization.   The versatility of the uses of polymers, from spacecrafts to ordinary plastic bags, the variety of chemical and physical properties and their dependence on environmental conditions hinder a better understanding of the electrical behavior of the (dielectric) polymer surfaces. Nevertheless, we have recently shown that it is possible to build a systematical understanding of electrical properties of polymers, especially on their electrostatics, and to find a way to control electrification successfully.
It is a millennia-old problem to understand the electrification of insulators. Our group contributes largely in finding out solutions for this question on the fundamental basis. Moreover, we develop new methods based on this knowledge to mitigate polymer electrification. These methods can be useful in many technologies, where polymers get into play, such as textile, plastic manufacturing, air and space industries.



On every contacting surface chemical changes take place, depending on the nature of contact. These changes cause many problems and economical loses in industry e.g. in automotive industry. In our group, we also work on preventing these losses and to increase efficiency of work done by such surfaces.
“Revealing physical and chemical changes on the surfaces at the molecular level help us to find solutions to the problems such as static electricity, friction and wear”

Antistatic Materials


Electrostatic discharge (ESD) failure is one of the most common sources of permanent failure of electronic devices. However, currently there exist no charge dissipative antistatic conformal coating materials which would help prevention of such a devastating damage. In principle, some known/common antistatic additives could be added or blended with conformal coating materials, however they are not appropriate for this purpose because all common antistatic additives dissipate charges on a charged surface by increasing its surface conductivity; either indirectly by increasing the relative humidity on the surface by attracting water molecules to form a continuous layer on it (e.g. ionic additives), or by their inherent conductivity (e.g. metals, conductive polymers).. Therefore, non-conductive antistatic coating is necessary to protect electronics from ESD or charge accumulation.

Triboelectric Effects on Friction

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Fundamental investigations of tribology and related processes has still many unrevealed points because of complex mechanisms that are involved in this subject. Main reason for this complexity is that both physical and chemical processes can take place during friction, presumably, occurring at the same time. In order to reveal the mechanism of friction occurring together these physical and chemical changes, it is also crucial to know whether tribology has the same rules over the scales from molecular and nano to meso scale. Only then, it would be possible to have a better understanding on friction, prevent value losses due to material abrasion, and understand phenomena like lubrication and adhesion deeper. In this part of the research, we aim to show the underestimated relation between friction and triboelectric (electrostatic) charges, which are generated on the polymer surfaces during polymer-polymer and polymer-metal contact. Then we will quantify the relation between the electrical (charge) and friction coefficient by measuring them simultaneously.