What would you say if your government asked why it should invest more money in tribology research?
TLT Sounding Board August 2014
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Tribology keeps the world moving. And that, in short, is why TLT readers from around the globe believe their governments should increase funding for its research. Topping the list of benefits they believe are to be derived from increased tribology research are conservation of resources and protecting the environment; energy and monetary savings; improving manufacturing, transportation and power generation; increasing safety; and furthering the quest for energy independence. Asked specifically which areas they would fund, readers included nanotechnology, coatings, base oils, synthetics, materials and exploring the relationship between heat and viscosity. Many readers, however, said they believe tribology research should be funded privately, not publicly. That sentiment was best expressed by one reader who said, “I would tell the government to stay out of it. This is a matter best investigated by the private sector. We don’t need help from Larry, Shemp and Moe.”
It is necessary because tribology is an opportunity to earn money, promote energy conservation and extend equipment life.
Because increased lubrication performance leads to reduced energy consumption.
If a significant portion of the GDP is spent just fixing machinery due to surface degradation, why wouldn’t you want to invest in saving money?
Regulatory restrictions and planned obsolescence of traditionally used chemical components will make it necessary to develop and have available suitable alternatives.
It would move the reference point for future product development initiatives and continually challenge the status quo mindset.
No. 1 is reduced future energy costs. No. 2 is improved materials.
Reducing friction and wear saves corporate profits.
Precision lubrication does more for the environment than a lot of environmental regulation.
A country’s economy loses millions of dollars annually due to incorrect or low technology tribology applications.
I would say that good lubrication and good lubrication practices saves end-users tremendously in decreased downtime and energy savings.
Planes, tanks, etc., used for defense would operate better and more economically if we can find ways to keep them better lubricated.
I say do the research without increasing the funding. Find a way. The U.S. debt is $17.5 trillion. Research can be done without additional government funding.
The government should invest in better-educated regulators of safety and chemicals, because the people they have now don’t know basic organic chemistry.
Honestly, keep the government out of tribology research.
I would respond that the government should increase its funding for tribology research to improve transportation, manufacturing, power generation and other industries that underpin our civilization, economy and national security.
I’d tell the government to keep its grubby mitts off!
Lubrication is the fundamental support of our highly dependent mechanized civilization.
Better lubricants lead to less energy consumption. A 1-3 percent reduction in energy consumption in manufacturing would result in job growth. A 1-3 percent increase in the fuel efficiency of personal and commercial transportation would promote energy independence for the U.S.
Energy conservation and reduced greenhouse gas regulations.
To promote domestic energy independence by increasing energy efficiency.
Tribology, as a field of technology, enables progress in a wide range of other important fields. Even though it is not a lead technology, it makes possible savings in energy (friction reduction), avoids loss of function (wear) and lowers material wastage (wear and friction).
Tribology research can have immediate impact on a nation’s economy. Energy savings and infrastructure maintenance are examples.
My arguments is that research is aimed at reducing failures and improving performance/ productivity.
Further work in tribology research can help us create more environmentally friendly lubricants.
I would first explain that tribology is a multidisciplinary science in solving practical engineering and scientific problems. The approach taken involves all major science and engineering disciplines: material science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry and physics. Supporting tribology research multiplies the interdisciplinary synergetic effects and encourages cooperation among different disciplines.
Fuel economy comes down to reducing weight and friction. Friction is what tribology is all about.
Both economic benefit and public safety can be increased with proper application of basic principles of tribology. So we need more tribology education, as well as tribology research.
There are many new lubrication technologies on the market that need to be developed.
Better tribology = less waste = greater efficiency = faster growing economy.
Tribology is directly related to energy consumption. Every government should be interested in that.
Environmental and energy savings.
Lower energy consumption. Production of technologically advanced materials. Opening new horizons in electronics, space, nuclear and aeronautical applications.
Tribology research is a critical component to properly maintaining processes that support our economy.
Because tribology is so encompassing, research and ensuing breakthroughs will provide benefits to a large field of interest.
Fuel economy.
Safety for the people and environment.
Tribology research increases productivity and efficiency for industry and the economy.
I would simply provide statistics for how much energy loss is experienced due to friction and how much energy could be saved and emissions decreased by reducing friction.
Equipment longevity leads to lower production cost and greater competitiveness. Increased energy efficiency leads to lower power costs and a greener society.
Advances in tribology lead to better manufacturing at lower cost and increase efficiencies.
Job growth, energy security.
Do you think your government is funding enough tribology research?
Yes
20%
No
80%
Based on responses sent to 13,000 TLT readers.
If you could increase your government’s funding for one area of tribology research, what would it be and why?
Mineral base oil, because my company produces it.
Reduce global lubricant consumption by increasing life in service.
Nanolubricants. I believe this to be the future of lubrication by better protecting surfaces and allowing for better surface finishes.
The use of bio-based and/or renewable resources.
Expand the emerging markets for renewable alternatives to petroleum-derived lubricants,
Explore how different lubricants affect the life of rolling element bearings in common machinery such as automotive and industrial applications.
How to move toward the use of renewable raw materials than mineral oils.
Component life.
Nanotechnology applications.
Novel and new families of lubricants.
Less wear and tear on machinery through better lubrication practices.
Trim the fat out of OSHA.
I would ask the government to increase funding for tribology research related to conserving and generating energy because energy is essential to every aspect of our citizens’ well-being and our national security.
Reducing the energy required for hydrodynamic lubrication.
Synthetic lubrication is the simplest way to decrease energy consumption in the U.S. Therefore, the study of synthetic lubricants and their applications is of paramount importance.
Friction reduction/better heat transfer.
I don’t believe the government should fund the research. The research should be funded by independent businesses.
I would reinvest in traditional challenges like industrial abrasion, erosion and high-temperature solid lubrication rather than more trendy areas like nanotribology and high-performance computation where the practical benefits are much less evident.
Applied, multidisciplinary programs where tribologists can team with other engineering and science fields to solve problems relevant to the whole national industry.
The research should point out energy savings in industrial and automotive engines and machines.
To develop better and more environmentally friendly lubricant additives to reduce friction and replace zinc and sulfur compounds.
New measures of viscosity, frictional characteristics of fluids and the relation between viscosity and temperature.
I would focus on fundamental experimental technique developments in looking at material behaviors under sliding contact in the molecular scale.
Studying the lubricant interaction with wearing surfaces offers an intriguing opportunity to reduce energy consumption going forward.
Editor’s Note: Sounding Board is based on an e-mail survey of 13,000 TLT readers. Views expressed are those of the respondents and do not reflect the opinions of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. STLE does not vouch for the technical accuracy of opinions expressed in Sounding Board, nor does inclusion of a comment represent an endorsement of the technology by STLE.