LiNaBioFluid · Project

Laser-Textured Surfaces That Cut Friction by 90% — Inspired by Lizard Skin

manufacturingPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Ever noticed how water beads up and rolls off certain insects, or how a lizard's skin channels moisture in one direction? Researchers figured out exactly how those micro-patterns work and then used ultrafast lasers to carve the same patterns onto metal and industrial surfaces. The result is a surface that moves liquids where you want them — fast — and cuts sliding friction by more than 90%. Think of it as giving your machine parts a lizard-skin upgrade.

By the numbers

90%+

Friction reduction achieved by laser-structured slide bearing vs. plain surface

€3,024,827

EU research investment in this technology

Research partners across 4 European countries

Total deliverables completed

The business problem

What needed solving

Friction in mechanical components like slide bearings and pumps wastes energy, generates heat, and causes premature wear — costing manufacturers billions in downtime, replacement parts, and energy losses every year. Existing solutions like coatings degrade over time and add material complexity. There is a clear need for a durable, built-in surface treatment that dramatically reduces friction without adding layers that can fail.

The solution

What was built

The project built a physical demonstrator: a low-friction slide bearing with laser-structured surfaces on inorganic material, using bark-bug-inspired capillary designs for fast lubricant transport. This demonstrator achieved friction reduction of more than 90% compared to a plain surface. Across 18 deliverables, the team also developed the ultrafast laser fabrication processes and validated the biomimetic surface designs for directional liquid transport.

Audience

Who needs this

Slide bearing and bushing manufacturers looking to reduce friction lossesMarine and shipbuilding companies seeking to cut underwater drag on hulls and propellersPower electronics and data center cooling equipment manufacturersPump and hydraulic component makers dealing with wear and energy wasteOil-water separation equipment companies in petrochemical or water treatment

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Industrial Bearings & Mechanical Components

mid-size

Target: Manufacturers of slide bearings, pump components, or hydraulic systems

If you are a bearing manufacturer dealing with friction losses, overheating, and premature wear in sliding components — this project built a demonstrator slide bearing with laser-structured surfaces inspired by bark bug skin that achieved friction reduction of more than 90% compared to a plain surface of the same material. The laser texturing process works on inorganic materials and can be extended over large areas, making it viable for production parts.

Marine & Underwater Equipment

enterprise

Target: Shipbuilders, underwater drone manufacturers, or marine coating companies

If you are a shipbuilder or marine equipment company struggling with drag on submerged surfaces — this project developed laser-generated biomimetic surface textures that control how liquids move across surfaces. The technology was specifically designed for reduced drag in underwater applications. With 7 research partners across 4 countries and 18 deliverables completed, the underlying science is mature enough to explore hull and propeller surface treatments.

Thermal Management & Electronics Cooling

any

Target: Manufacturers of heat exchangers, power electronics, or data center cooling systems

If you are a cooling system manufacturer facing limits on how fast you can move coolant across hot surfaces — this project created laser-textured surfaces that achieve fast, directional liquid transport using capillary geometry inspired by moisture-harvesting lizards. The project identified high-power device cooling as a direct application area, and the ability to extend these structures over large areas makes integration with heat exchangers feasible.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to apply this laser texturing to our components?

The project used high-repetition-rate ultrashort laser systems for fabrication. Specific per-unit costs are not published in the project data. However, the technology is based on laser self-organization rather than point-by-point engraving, which is inherently faster. A licensing or joint development arrangement with the consortium would be the entry point.

Can this be scaled to industrial production volumes?

The project objective explicitly states that extension of surface structures over large areas is feasible. The demonstrator slide bearing was fabricated using a high-repetition-rate ultrashort laser system, which is designed for throughput. Moving from demonstrator to production-line integration would require engineering work, but the core process is scalable.

Who owns the IP and can we license it?

The project was funded under Horizon 2020 FET Open (EUR 3,024,827) with 7 partners across Greece, Austria, Germany, and Spain. IP is shared among consortium members per their grant agreement. The coordinator is IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS (FORTH) in Greece. Licensing discussions would start there.

How proven is the 90% friction reduction claim?

The more than 90% friction reduction is documented in the project's demonstrator deliverable — a slide bearing with laser-structured surface on inorganic material featuring bark-bug-like design for fast lubricant transport. This was tested under controlled conditions. Real-world performance would depend on your specific application, loads, and lubricants.

What materials does this work on?

The demonstrator was built on inorganic material, as stated in the deliverable description. The laser texturing approach works on metals and other hard surfaces suitable for slide bearings and pump parts. Based on available project data, polymer or composite applications were not the primary focus.

Is this relevant if we already use surface coatings?

This is a different approach — instead of adding a coating layer, the laser carves micro- and nano-scale patterns directly into the existing surface. This means no delamination risk and no coating wear-through. It can complement or replace coatings for friction control, lubrication management, and liquid directional transport.

What is the timeline to get a working prototype for our application?

The project ended in June 2018 with a completed demonstrator. The research teams have the equipment, expertise, and validated process. Based on available project data, a custom prototype for a new application would require a joint development agreement with consortium partners and adaptation of the laser parameters to your specific geometry and material.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a purely research-driven consortium — 4 research organizations, 2 universities, and 1 other entity across Greece, Austria, Germany, and Spain, with zero industrial partners and zero SMEs. The coordinator is FORTH (Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas), a top Greek research institute. The EUR 3,024,827 budget and FET Open funding scheme confirm this was exploratory science. For a business looking to adopt this technology, the absence of industry partners means you would be the first commercial adopter — which brings both first-mover advantage and the need to invest in application engineering. The upside is that the IP landscape is likely uncrowded.

IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNASCoordinator · EL
HIGH TECH COATINGS GMBHparticipant · AT
RHEINISCH-WESTFAELISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHENparticipant · DE
UNIVERSITAT LINZparticipant · AT
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASparticipant · ES
BUNDESANSTALT FUER MATERIALFORSCHUNG UND -PRUEFUNGparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

The coordinator is FORTH (IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS) in Greece. SciTransfer can identify the lead researcher and facilitate an introduction.

Order a report on this consortium See IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore whether laser-textured surfaces could solve your friction or fluid management challenges? SciTransfer can arrange a confidential briefing with the research team and help you evaluate licensing or joint development options.

Order a report on this topic More in Manufacturing & Industry 4.0