The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on daily life, underscoring the need for measures against future bacterial and viral threats. Since many mechanical components are touched by numerous people, a shift toward ""post-COVID mechanical coatings"" that integrate high hygiene with mechanical performance is essential. By designing surfaces that achieve both properties, we aim to present a blueprint for a with-COVID society from an engineering perspective.

Japan's Green Growth Strategy, aiming for a carbon-neutral society by 2050, relies on enhancing energy efficiency and extending the lifespan of mechanical components. Additionally, from an environmental perspective, efforts are underway to reduce the use of extreme pressure additives in lubricants and greases for sliding and cutting applications, as well as the solvents used for their cleaning. Through the development of green tribology technologies utilizing environmentally friendly biodegradable lubricants, we strive to contribute to a sustainable future society.

The industrial sector is increasingly focused on developing low-torque components that contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions for a sustainable society. For example, recent improvements in automotive fuel efficiency have largely been driven by advancements in low-friction technology, achieving a 15% increase in fuel efficiency over the past two decades. In the industrial machinery sector, the development of low-dust bearings with a 50% reduction in friction coefficient compared to conventional models has enabled the miniaturization and increased output of servo motors. By applying ultra-hard three-dimensional DLC coatings to such mechanical components, we can further enhance efficiency, reduce size and weight, and significantly contribute to energy conservation across industries. This research is conducted in collaboration with the Komatsu Collaborative Research Cluster for Innovative Technologies at the Institute of Science Tokyo.