Following the highly successful Nanotribology meetings in 2000 and 2003 in Bali, 2001, 2004, and 2008 in Sikkim, and 2007 and 2011 in Hoi An, Vietnam, the International Nanotribology Forum (INF) organized another meeting in this series in Kochi, Kerala, India from 6-10 January, 2014.

Topics of the workshop included:

the interface of rheology and tribology
biotribology and bioinspired tribology
nanoscale roughness in friction and wear
subsurface effects in tribology
soft interfaces
ionic liquids
new techniques in nanotribology

The workshop consisted of invited and submitted lectures and poster presentations, with extensive opportunities for discussion. As before, a number of scholarships were available for students and young scientists, especially those from developing countries.

The meeting took place in the Bolgatty Palace and Island Resort , located close to the historic city of Fort Cochin, in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. The meeting location is conveniently reached from Cochin International Airport airport (COK)—a 45 minute drive away—which is served by many national and international flights and will be linked to the resort via a shuttle bus service. January is an excellent month for visiting Kerala. Temperatures range from 22-32°C (72-90°F), with an average of 9 hours of sunshine per day.