What if you could predict how a lubricant performs before it’s even made?

Season 2 of Tribology Talks starts with a fresh twist as PCS R&D team members Ben Wainwright and Rory McAllister take over the mic to host an unmissable conversation with Dr James Ewen, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow at Imperial College London. James reveals how molecular simulations are transforming tribology, from uncovering nanoscale behaviour to solving real-world challenges in industries as diverse as automotive, energy, and even personal care. Along the way, he shares his journey from Shell to Imperial and why this research is shaping a more sustainable future.

In Part 2, Dr Rai Notay is back to break down the real-world tribology challenges facing electric vehicles, from bearing durability and low-viscosity fluids to the complex impact of stray currents. Then we head into the garage as Rai shares how he rebuilt a classic Mini from the ground up, blending vintage charm with modern engineering. It’s a hands-on story of applied tribology, where lab knowledge meets personal project in the most satisfying way.

In this episode, guest host Kieran Nar sits down with Dr Rai Notay from Lubrizol to talk about how a summer internship with a running engine sparked a career in tribology that has spanned everything from laser diagnostics and piston ring testing to motorsport, industrial fluids and even hair care. Rai shares how he transitioned from academia into industry, the unexpected value of working across disciplines, and what it's like being the only engineer in a team of chemists. He also reflects on the evolving nature of the field, why tribology still feels like an emerging science, and why staying curious has been key to every stage of his journey.

How do you lubricate a spacecraft when failure isn’t an option and there’s barely any fluid to work with? In Part 2, Dr Michael Buttery discusses applying tribology to real space mechanisms from testing in vacuum with the VMTM to tuning hybrid lubrication systems for extended life without added torque. He also explores fluid chemistry constraints, the potential of ionic liquids, the rise of additive manufacturing in space, and how "new space" is reshaping risk, testing, and collaboration.