Awarded Research Themes and Reports
Note: "Affiliation" in the table is based on the day of grant.
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| Grant Year | Research Theme | Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator (Country) |
Research Content Summary / Related Publication / Main Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 First |
Repairable hybrid lubrication model for Martian machineries | Prof. Ichiro Minami(Sweden), Mr. Erik Nyberg(Sweden) 19A04 |
Ⅰ. Summary This work explored the applicability of ionic liquid lubricant for space devices, especially those for Martian rover mechanics. We utilized the ionic liquids developed by the previous work under TTRF as tribo-improving additives in space grade synthetic hydrocarbons. Ball-on-flat type tribo-tests under ambient air, dry nitrogen, dry carbon dioxide, and vacuum displayed stable friction and low wear with the ionic liquid additive at the concentration as low as 0.4 mass %. Notably, the new lubricants reduced wear significantly under carbon dioxide, compared to space grade perfuoropolyethers. Surface analysis suggests the formation of boundary film from the ionic liquid, while clear identification seems difficult. For further study on durability and compatibility to the practical materials and mechanics, a tester equipped with Martian gearbox was designed and assembled, and then preliminary results were acquired. A prototype lubricant showed improved energy efficiency and preventing scuffing of tribology surfaces. Ⅱ. Related Publication (Researcher doesn't agree to disclose main report.) 19A04 Related Publication (HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: Luleå University of Technology |
| Cubic boron nitride (cBN) curvilinear micro-textured cutting tool surfaces for high performance machining | Assoc. Prof. Tuğrul Özel(USA)
19A09 |
Ⅰ. Summary Laser ablation of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) material for creating micro-textures has been a great interest to cutting tool design and machining community due to distinct advantages offered by laser surface texturing on flank and rake surfaces of cutting tools for improved friction, reduced tool wear, and enhanced effectiveness of coolant application. There are challenges on controlling the surface integrity induced by laser processing on the PCBN material with CBN grains. Surface integrity imposes effects on the resultant wear and thermal fatigue performance on the cutting tool material. This project investigates the effect of laser processing parameters on PCBN and proposes a simulation to predict the laser ablation depth and profile on various CBN content substrates. The results on laser ablation depth are validated against the experiments conducted using high repetition rate nanosecond laser pulses. Ⅱ. Related Publication (Researcher doesn't agree to disclose main report.) 19A09 Related Publication (HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey |