Driving down energy loss
Feb 27, 2019
As today’s automakers work to cut emissions and improve fuel efficiency, automotive tribologists will begin to face interesting challenges as they navigate through the latest engineering trends. Responsible for solving specific problems that arise from contact between two surfaces, tribologists will play an important role in the rapidly growing automobile research and development efforts.
For example, the quest for lighter weight vehicles may require tribologists to reassess the wear of various metals, like aluminum, that haven’t historically been widely used. Also, advanced technologies such as 3D printing and sensors in autonomous vehicles are gaining traction, and automakers must better understand lubrication issues that may arise. Electric vehicles also require complex lubrication leading tribologists to work to minimize engine friction and reduce energy loss.
To learn more about how tribologists play an instrumental role in the automotive technological advancements and how they can be better equipped to face the challenges, read the recent article from Infenium here.
Why should you care?
Although right now there are a lot of unknowns, we do know that compatibility of these materials all need to be handled. Tribologists will continue to assess every surface in a vehicle that rubs together in an effort to advance automotive innovation.
