# 8349 / The Effect of Integrating a Bio-Inspired Convex Structure with a Low-Surface Energy... https\:/doi.org/10.56884/GULN6927 Title: The Effect of Integrating a Bio-Inspired Convex Structure with a Low-Surface Energy Polymer on Soil Adhesion and Friction Authors: Abouelnadar Salem, Guozhong Zhang, and Hongchang Wang Abstract: The capacity of soil-burrowing animals to move freely in sticky soil is a motivational trait for developing soil engaging tools with high operational efficiency. The hydrophobicity and morphological profiles of soil animals' skin were reported to be the key pillars in producing their anti-adhesive mechanisms. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) possess outstanding corrosion resistance, hydrophobicity, and chemical stability, which qualify it as a potential choice in soil adhesion reduction. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of integrating a domed surface inspired by the micro-convex structure of the dung beetle skin with the UHMW-PE as a surface coating for soil engaging components in terms of soil adhesion reduction. The sliding resistance of three sliding plates (flat plate of carbon steel, flat plate of UHMW-PE, and domed plate of UHMW-PE), entirely identical in the projected area, was evaluated in two soil textures of silty clay and sandy clay loam, at four moisture levels of 18, 23, 28, and 33% and four drag speeds of 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, and 0.3 m s-1 using a completely randomized design. The dimensions of the embossed domes on the tested plate surface and their distribution pattern were established based on the previously published structural optimization of the bioinspired convex surface. In each treatment, the tested plate was dragged for 0.7 m of the soil bin length, and the sliding resistance was recorded continuously using the distributed stress and strain test and analysis system (DH3820 N). The coefficients of adhesion and friction were calculated according to the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. The variance analysis revealed that all investigated parameters significantly affected coefficients of adhesion and friction. In addition, as compared to flat steel plates, UHMW-PE coated plates exhibited much lower adhesion in all treatments, paving the way for practical applications in soil adhesion reduction and soilengaging component optimization. Order the full paper: ISTVS members: receive three papers per year as part of your membership via the ISTVS Member Portal: --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://2022.istvs.org/papers/8349.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.