Physicists discover a new way for objects to experience friction without contact

For over 300 years, scientists have followed Amontons’ law, which states that friction happens when two surfaces rub together.

However, researchers from the University of Konstanz have challenged this rule by proving that friction can occur without any physical contact.

In their study published in Nature Materials, scientists created a system with two magnetic layers.

This phenomenon, known as magnetic frustration, causes magnets to flip and reorient as they struggle to align with the opposing field.

This discovery suggests a future for wear-free technology, where machines operate indefinitely without degradation.

Because this friction is magnetic, it can be tuned or adjusted remotely, opening doors for advanced applications in nanotechnology and programmable metamaterials.