Perfecting Motion: Tribology and The Quest for Sustainability

Nanotribology is a growing field within tribology that studies the interactions of materials at the nanoscale which is an extremely small domain. In an effort to reduce friction and wear, improve efficiency and reduce emissions, a better understanding of how friction and wear can be minimized at the nanoscale is very important. This podcast discusses nanotribology with two experts in the field. 

Contributors: Dr. Neil Canter, STLE Advisor, Technical Programs and Services, Dr. Steven Thrush, Tribologist, U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center, and Dr. Marina Ruths, Professor of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is growing in the manufacturing sector because it provides an approach for making complex parts without generating waste. This technique is working well for plastic resins, but 3D printing metal alloys has been more challenging. In this episode, we speak with two experts conducting research on the 3D printing of metal alloys to gain their perspective on how the technology is progressing, as we continue on the path to sustainability.

Contributors: Dr. Neil Canter, STLE Advisor, Technical Programs and Services, Dr. Anthony Rollett, U.S. Steel Professor of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science and Faculty Co-Director, Next Manufacturing Center on Additive Manufacturing, Carnegie Mellon University, and Dr. Wojtek Misiolek, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Director of The Loewy Institute, Lehigh University

One approach for perfecting motion through the reduction of friction and wear is to examine the potential benefits of tribochemistry. This growing field gives researchers the opportunity to design a machinery system that takes advantage of the interaction of a specific lubricant with a particular metal surface under its operating conditions. The resulting products of the interaction act to maximize the efficiency of the machinery, leading us further down the road to perfecting motion. Discussions are held with two leading researchers, Drs. Kuldeep Mistry (The Timken Company) and Nicolas Argibay (Sandia National Laboratories), to provide their viewpoints on the current and future potential for tribochemistry. 

As the world faces challenges due to the threat of global warming, regulatory pressure has been applied to find ways to reduce the generation of carbon dioxide and other emissions. The transportation sector is under increasing scrutiny because it contributes the highest level of emissions in the U.S. at 28.2% according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The automotive industry has responded by moving to electric vehicles in place of internal combustion-powered vehicles as a way to reduce carbon dioxide, attain carbon neutrality and move towards sustainability. Tribology, or the study of lubrication, provides approaches for reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and, as a result, accelerating the move to perfecting motion, which will lead to achieving sustainability. 

This podcast introduces a new series that will discuss a series of technology developments showing how tribology and lubrication can promote the movement towards sustainability.