In a newly granted NWO-TTW project, researchers at the UT will apply a suite of microscopic characterization tools to develop a physical understanding of oil transport and release in soft porous media.
In a second phase novel strategies to improve the lubrication processes will be explored involving dedicated soft responsive polymer materials. The project of 1mio EUR will involve a team of three PhD students as well as researchers from the groups of Physics of Complex Fluids, Sustainable Polymer Chemistry, and Surface Technology and Tribology, working in close collaboration with a major grease and a major bearing manufacturer and other industrial users.
With the massive rollout of grease-lubricated electric vehicles replacing oil-lubricated combustion engines and grease-lubricated wind turbines replacing oil-lubricated steam turbines, improving the performance of grease lubrication regarding energy loss, lifetime, and maintenance have become increasingly important to facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable future.