Research focuses on lubrication on textured surfaces

SHELL Lubricants Technology has announced a two-year research and development partnership with State Key Laboratory of Tribology in Tsinghua University, one of China's most prestigious institutions. The partnership will focus on work to deepen the understanding of lubrication on textured surfaces.
The partnership will generate data that can be used to create innovative solutions for Shell Lubricants' original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and develop research in key areas fundamental to the advancement of lubrication science.
The partnership will give Tsinghua University access to Shell's global lubrication technology expertise based in Shell technology centres in the UK, Germany, the USA and China, and will give Shell the opportunity to work closely with world class lubricant scientists and tribologists to create innovative solutions that could be beneficial to Shell customers.
The State Key Laboratory of Tribology boasts some of the world's most advanced resources and research specialisations, such as laser etching techniques. The laboratory's research will focus specifically on the 'deliberate texturing' of surfaces in applications with moving parts. The aim will be to reduce friction and enhance surface protection, by using advanced, specialised laser-focused ion beams and photolithography techniques to create various shaped "dimples" on surfaces with diameters in the range of 50-200 microns, and depths of 2-10 microns. This is a highly specialised scientific process, which not all research facilities have the capabilities to perform, thus making this partnership very valuable.SNEAKERS