Awarded Research Themes and Reports
Note: "Affiliation" in the table is based on the day of grant. Click onto find the e-mail address of principal investigator.
Grant Year | Research Theme | Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator (Country) |
Research Content Summary / Related Publication / Main Report |
---|---|---|---|
2021 First |
Modelling the influence of friction modifiers and anti-wear additives on friction in the mixed/boundary lubrication regime | Prof. Ian Sherrington(UK), Prof. Robert Ian Taylor(UK) 21A10 |
Ⅰ. Summary This research has developed a simple method for reliably estimating mixed/boundary friction in a lubricated contact using the contact Lamba Ratio. The method is summarized by a single equation which can be applied both for un-additivated lubricants, and lubricants containing ZDDP anti-wear additives. Work is ongoing to apply a modified version of the equation to lubricants containing friction modifiers. The proposed equation is in good agreement with experimental data and its application suggests that some traditionally used mixed/boundary friction models (such as that of Greenwood-Tripp) significantly underestimate the amount of mixed/boundary friction. As mixed/boundary friction in machines is expected to increase in the future (due to the use of lower viscosity lubricants) simple, reliable methods to estimate friction losses due to mixed/boundary friction will become of increased importance, and the equation developed in this research will help tribologists and engineers to estimate such losses more easily. Ⅱ. Main Report (including Related Publication) 21A10 Main Report (HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: University of Central Lancashire |
Reversed-hierarchical Multiscale Analytical Approach to Elucidate Micro-contacts Separated by Liquid Nano-films | Dr. Henry Brunskill (UK), Prof. Roger Lewis(UK) 21A19 |
Ⅰ. Summary Work was carried out to further develop the method of using active ultrasonic array transducers to characterise wheel-rail interfacial contact conditions. Previously, the method required drilling a hole in the rail to invasively mount the sensors in the rail head. In this work, the sensors were first permanently installed under the foot of a section of rail. Lab tests were performed to validate the new concept. Following this, an under-rail clamp was designed and manufactured that would allow the technology to be trialed in the field and a portable measurement system was configured that was suitable for field use. Finally, a field test was carried out at Long Marsden sidings site. Ⅱ. Related Publication (Researcher doesn't agree to disclose main report.) 21A19 Related Publication (HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: University of Sheffield |
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2021 Second |
Controlling electrical potential to enable lubrication condition monitoring and improvement of electric drives | Dr. Min Yu(UK), Reader Tom Reddyhoff(UK) 21B09 |
Ⅰ. Summary This report concludes the first stage of TTRF enable research into the use of electrical impedance to enable in-situ lubrication condition monitoring. To achieve this, circuit model identification of real lubricated contacts with complex geometry is a challenging but necessary step. This work takes the ball-on-disc lubricated contact in a Mini Traction Machine (MTM) as an example, where screws on the ball, grooves on the disc, and contact close to the disc edge complicate the overall interface geometry. Electrical impedance spectroscopy is used to capture its frequency response under steady-state lubrication conditions. The results enable identification of equivalent circuit models by fitting resistor-capacitor models. The dependence on oil film thickness is further calibrated using a high-accuracy optical interferometry. The proposed method is applicable to general lubricated interfaces for identification of equivalent circuit models, which in turn facilitates in-situ tribo-contacts with electric impedance measurement of oil film thickness. Ⅱ. Related Publication(Researcher doesn't agree to disclose main report.) 21B09 Related Publication (HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: Imperial College London |
Tribological evaluation of self-lubricating diamond like carbon coated particle in metal matrix composite coating | Dr. Shahira Liza Binti Kamis(Malaysia), Assoc. Prof. Hiroki Akasaka(Japan) 21B14 |
Ⅰ. Summary In this project, the continuous supply of solid lubricant to the contact surface during sliding are achieved by disperse Diamond-like carbon (DLC) into the Ni matrix by using electrodeposition in a Watts bath. Two types of DLC were used in form of DLC deposited copper (Cu) particles and DLC flakes. The addition of DLC into the Ni matrix increases the hardness of the composite as well as makes the composite more wear-resistant due to its lubricating property. It was found that DLC deposited Cu particles are strong candidates for metal co-deposition to form a super- hydrophobic composite coating. A combination of micron-sized broccoli-like structures and submicron-sized particles and pockets resulting in excellent water repellence properties. At present, the DLC_Cu/Ni coating has the potential to be used for a variety of applications, such as oil-water separation, train and car drive train components and wind turbine blades. Ⅱ. Related Publication(Researcher doesn't agree to disclose main report.) 21B14 Related Publication (HP).pdf Affiliation of Principal Investigator: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia |