Description: Friction, the force that resists motion, has shaped technological progress for millennia. Jennifer Vail shows how the quest to master friction has driven innovation, culture, and even human evolution. Now, scientists are learning that friction influences the course of disease and may be key to solving the climate crisis.
Brief description: Jennifer R. Vail is the founder of DuPont's first tribology research lab and a member of the senior leadership team at TA Instruments, a manufacturer of tools used for analyzing the physical properties of materials. Her TED Talk, "The Science of Friction," has been viewed more than two million times.
Review Quotes: [Friction] is an unsung hero to most (though not, of course, to Newton, da Vinci and their ilk) - though hopefully not for much longer.--Liz Else "New Scientist" (1/5/2026 12:00:00 AM)