The familiar heat, wear and general grinding to a halt of friction are all caused by what's going on at the microscopic level when two things rub. And down there, even the smoothest surfaces usually ...

It’s no wonder earthquakes are so difficult to predict. Even simple laboratory simulations of the friction breakdowns that send tectonic plates lurching into motion are maddeningly difficult to ...

It was once a game of luck using misshapen stones from Scotland’s riverbeds first thought to be played out on frozen waters in the mid-16th Century. In the four-and-a-half centuries since, a sport ...

A good sweater is like a cozy hug made out of yarn. For that, you can thank friction. A new study reveals how knit fabrics can take on versatile shapes that allow them to conform to the contours of a ...

What happens when the work of scientists puts them in conflict with people in power? In some countries their jobs, their freedom or even their lives are threatened. This week's episode of Science ...

Curling is a thrilling sport filled with strategy, skill, sweeping, surprise and science! Curling is a mesmerizing sport filled with strategy, skill, surprise, a lot of yelling, and science—yes ...

It was once a game of luck using misshapen stones from Scotland’s riverbeds first thought to be played out on frozen waters in the mid-16th Century. In the four-and-a-half centuries since, a sport ...

This week's issue of C&EN introduces a new twist to a venerable feature: "Science Friction with Bob Wolke" debuts as a regular feature in Newscripts. Science Friction will appear every other week, and ...