Tribology TRIBOLOGY IS EVERYWHERE Chameleon and Tiger and a - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Tribology as a chameleon Tribology TRIBOLOGY IS EVERYWHERE Chameleon and Tiger and a strategically important research field at LTU Roland Larsson Division of Machine Elements, LTU Tribology as a chameleon Tribology as a chameleon Tribology as a chameleon Involves many science fields – multidisciplinary From fundamental to applied Trends can be followed – Solid and fluid mechanics – Energy From atoms to cars – Physics – Environment – Chemistry – Cost reduction – Materials Science Macro scale Hydrodynamic – Reliability Components – Mathematics lubrication – Safety – Manufacturing technology – Maintenance technology – … Applications Fundamentals MEMS Ab initio quantum models Atomic scale 1

Tribology as a tiger Tribology as a tiger Tribology as a tiger Financing from many sources Publications and external financing Companies Publications PFF (Mål 2) VR Fundamentals Vinnova Applications SSF VR: Over 14 MSEK 2006- (incl. Peter Wall’s grant) External financing Tribology as a tiger Tribology as a tiger Tribology as a tiger Good job market for new PhDs! Fundamental knowledge still lacking Already today one of Europe’s largest Many interesting research issues! research groups • Volvo Aero • United Turbine RC, USA – Friction! • Banverket • Scania • SKF, 3 st • Höganäs – Wear! The only university in Sweden with tribology • SKF ERC, Holland • Volvo CE • Vattenfall • Bechem, Tyskland as a strategically important area • SSAB Oxelösund • GM Powertrain • Hägglunds • Shell (UK) / LTU • Mid University • Siemens • LTU, 2 st • LKAB • Getrag-Ford 2

How to reduce friction and wear? How to optimize the system? Substrate / bulk material Save >10% Some important questions -Fuel Coating for durability Smart? -Electricity Self-healing? Coating for functionality -Cost Active? -CO 2 emissions Physical/chemical layers Multi-phase fluid How to model the complex boundary Can nature inspire us? Our plans lubricated systems? Establish LTU as an Excellence Centre for tribology research and a national hub for Swedish industry A unique collaboration between many science fields Gecko for high friction (grip) Human joints for low friction µ<0.001 A multi-scale approach is required 3

Tribology related research at LTU And we become a Tiger Chameleon Facts: • Turnover: >140 MSEK Competence: • High class laboratories • 16 Professors Tribology • More than 1000 journal publications • 26 Senior researchers • >77 graduated PhDs past 5 years (Division of Machine • 11 Post-docs • Strong international collaborations Elements) • 74 PhD-students Thank Experimental you! Fluid Mechanics Mechanics Chemistry Material Solid Mechanics Polymer Mechanics Engineering Chemical Technology Physics Operation & Materials Science Maintenance Mathematics 4