Join us for these special networking sessions, which will be hosted in the mornings or afternoons each day during the STLE Virtual Annual Meeting, where attendees can connect with industry and academic leaders and participate in a more informal 30-minute moderated conversation discussing the latest hot topics in the field of tribology and lubrication.
The days and times for these sessions and scheduled topics include:
All times listed in US Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Monday, May 17 (1:15-1:45 pm EDT)
Networking Session 1
Training the Next Generation of Tribologists
Moderator: Ashlie Martini, University of California, Merced
In this networking session, we will be talking about teaching and mentoring the next generation of tribologists, particularly at the graduate and undergraduate student levels. Topics to be discussed include tribology in the classroom, research mentoring, and balancing breadth versus depth of knowledge in our very interdisciplinary field. However, the conversation is wide open, and we look forward to using the topic of student training as an opportunity to (virtually) connect.
Networking Session 2
Supply Chain: Challenges in Sourcing Raw Materials and Supplying Lubricants in a Timely Fashion
Moderator: Neil Canter, Chemical Solutions
The lubricant industry has been able to utilize global supply chains to source raw materials in a cost effective and timely manner for many years. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed buying patterns causing global supply chains to fracture, leading to longer lead times for raw materials due to shortages and accelerated problems — with timely delivering finished lubricants due to a shortage of tank truck drivers. Panelists from distributor companies, which have a unique perspective on this situation, will provide input on how lubricant manufacturers can get through this supply chain crisis and how to be prepared for future supply chain disruptions.
Invited panelists include Christy Henley, VP Sales, NA East, Sea-Land Chemical and Steve Brownfield, VP of Supply Chain/Operations, Azelis Americas.
Networking Session 3
Lubricants for Electric Vehicles
Moderator: Gareth Fish, The Lubrizol Corporation
According to published industry figures, the volume of electric vehicles (EVs) rose to 4.2 % in 2020 of the global production of 70 million vehicles. It is anticipated that 20% of Global EV production will reach 20% by 2030 and 60% by 2040. Looking at EV proposals, new lubricants will be needed in the following areas: crankcase oils for Range Extender Internal Combustion Engines; transmission fluids for reduction gearboxes and differentials; greases for electric drive motors and cooling circuit pumps for battery and drive motor thermal management systems. This moderated conversation will be available to discuss questions related to these areas of development.
Tuesday, May 18 (10-10:30 am EDT)
Networking Session 1
Tribology in Additive Manufacturing
Moderator: Rob Jackson, Auburn University
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is the fabrication of solid material by adding smaller pieces together into one larger piece. It results in less waste material and allows for complex geometries to be printed. For AM to be fully utilized, parts which incorporate contact and sliding components will be essential. The area of additive manufacturing and tribology can be divided into two approaches: (1.) the characterization of friction and wear properties of additively manufactured materials and how they might differ from conventionally manufactured materials, and (2.) the employment of AM to provide new solutions to tribological applications. Join us for this conversation as we take a deeper look into tribology research in AM.
Networking Session 2
Mars Perservance
Moderator: Chris DellaCorte, NASA Glenn Research Center
Join us to contribute to the open discussions on how to meet the unique off-worldly tribology challenges on Mars, a cold dusty and faraway place.
Networking Session 3
What's the Best Biotribology Work You've Seen in the Past Year?
Moderator: Alison Dunn, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This discussion will focus on areas of biotribology that have gained popularity in the last year: sensory tribology and haptics, for example. And the crossover between soft materials and complex fluids. Who pulled these things off in a pandemic? Bring your inspirations to the chat.
Networking Session 4
Fluid Film Bearings: New Materials and Designs for More Efficient Hydrodynamic Bearings
Moderator: Michel Fillon, Universite De Poitiers
For new applications, more efficient sliding bearings are very often proposed. The improvement of these hydrodynamic bearings can be obtained by using new coating materials (PTFE, PEEK) instead of a Babbitt layer (even if this solution could be satisfactory for more classic industrial applications). The composite materials permit to reduce friction during startup and under nominal operation. Furthermore, due to their thermal insulating properties, these polymers reduce the pad backing temperature and, consequently, the thermal deformations. New designs of more advanced bearing also offer gains in terms of performance; as an example, the partially textured parallel surface thrust bearing can be cited. In addition, new designs can also enlarge the domain of applications: a very recent example is the concept of “FlexPad,” which is a Conical sliding bearing proposed for the wind turbine main bearing.
Wednesday, May 19 (3-3:30 pm EDT)
Networking Session 1
How to Remain Safe and Productive Working With Metalworking Fluids During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Moderator: Neil Canter, Chemical Solutions
Over the past year, companies in the lubricants industry have learned the challenges faced in keeping their employees safe and productive. This networking session will review the past lessons learned in minimizing exposure of the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and will provide guidelines for assisting attendees in continuing to maintain safe productive working environments in the future.
Networking Session 2
Where Do you Think Biotribology Can Make a Significant Impact Next Year?
Moderator: Alison Dunn, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This discussion will focus on areas of biotribology that have great potential for significant impact in the next year: tribology of active biological systems like cells, articular cartilage, for example. Or, using soft biomimicking materials to control lubrication. What ways can we work together to do impactful work in the next year? What new tools do tribologists need to approach these types of problems?
Thursday, May 20 (10-10:30 am EDT)
Networking Session 1
STLE Tribology Transactions: How to Prepare your Paper Submissions and the Peer Review Process
Moderator: Chris DellaCorte, NASA Glenn Research Center
Join us for an open discussion regarding the paper submission and peer review process for STLE Tribology Transactions. Editor-In-Chief, Dr. Christopher DellaCorte, will explain how to best prepare your paper and what to expect after submission.
Networking Session 2
Tribology in Additive Manufacturing
Moderator: Rob Jackson, Auburn University
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is the fabrication of solid material by adding smaller pieces together into one larger piece. It results in less waste material and allows for complex geometries to be printed. For AM to be fully utilized, parts which incorporate contact and sliding components will be essential. The area of additive manufacturing and tribology can be divided into two approaches: (1.) the characterization of friction and wear properties of additively manufactured materials and how they might differ from conventionally manufactured materials, and (2.) the employment of AM to provide new solutions to tribological applications. Join us for this conversation in case you missed our Tuesday session or would like to share further insights about the future of tribology research in AM.
Networking Session 3
Lubricating Grease Industry Specifications
Moderator: Gareth Fish, The Lubrizol Corporation
2021 saw the launch of the first new grease industry specification since 1989, with the Launch of the HPM (High-Performance Multiuse) category and its add on performance classes of Water Resistance (+WR); Corrosion Resistance (+CR); High Load Carrying (HL); Low temperature (LT). It will also touch on the long life (LL) / high temperature (HT) categories that are also under development. This moderated conversation will be available to discuss questions related to these new specifications.
Networking Session 4
Hybrid Rolling-Element Bearings for Aero-Engine Applications: Advantages vs. Challenges
Moderator: Azzedine Dadouche, National Research Council Canada
With the increasing demand for higher speeds and thrusts, the use of hybrid bearings in aircraft engines became a pressing reality. Hybrid bearings provide excellent technological solutions for high-speed applications with DN values up to 4 million. However, other aspects may be of concern such as high cost, high stress level and the requirement for alternative health monitoring systems. Let’s chat!