Friction and wear of moving components across various industries result in reliability issues, enormous energy losses, and environmental problems. These problems originate from the complex interactions between micro- and nanoscale asperities at the contacting surfaces. Such tribological challenges can be addressed via surface engineering, inspired by biological species that control friction very efficiently, combined with the incorporation of advanced nanomaterials at the sliding interfaces. Nanomaterials, such as two-dimensional (2D) materials and nanoparticles, have tremendous potential for such applications due to their unique physical and chemical properties and their ability to be incorporated as ultrathin protective surface coatings or nanoadditives in a liquid environment.

I will discuss studies on 2D materials and nanoparticles for various tribological systems, from demonstrating superlubric, ultra-scratch-resistant transparent glass surfaces to achieving enhanced frictional anisotropy via bioinspired patterned surfaces combined with 2D materials. I will also discuss tribological behaviour of nanoparticle-based additives for next-generation liquid-based lubricant formulations, where different types of nanoparticles as hybrid nanoadditives can significantly reduce friction and wear in lubricated sliding contacts.