|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
1. ITC In Session – Esslingen 2008 The 18th International Tribology Council "In Session” Meeting took place at the Technische Akademie Esslingen (TAE) on the 14th January 2008 immediately prior to the 16th International Colloquium “Lubricants, Materials and Lubrication Engineering". The meeting was attended by 27 people representing the tribology societies of 21 countries. Minutes of the meeting have now been sent to the Secretaries of member societies and corresponding members. 2. Prof Koji Kato wins 2007 Tribology Gold Medal The 2007 Tribology Gold Medal, the world's highest award in the field of tribology, has been awarded to Professor Koji Kato. Professor Kato has worked at Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan since receiving his Bachelor degree in 1966 until April of this year. He is now based at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nihon University. Professor Kato's work and activities encompassed many parts of the science and technology of tribology. Perhaps best known is his work in the field of ceramics where his work was outstanding. The full citation is given in the appendix to this Newsletter.
Picture: His Excellency Ambassador Sir Graham Fry KCMG presents the award. 3. Tribology COST Action Brings Reduction in Fuel Consumption COST Action was 532 was co-ordinated by Professor Kenneth Holmberg from VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland) who has kindly submitted the following report: The COST 532 Action has focused European research work to solve friction, wear and lubrication related problems in engines and transmissions. Researchers from 58 institutes from 30 countries used a total of 260 research man years to find new solutions to future industrial challenges. A scientific breakthrough was to clarify the basic mechanisms related to carbon-based low friction coatings. The one micrometer thick vacuum deposited diamond-like carbon surfaces can, in dry conditions, reduce the friction with up to two orders of magnitude. Now their interaction with lubricants and additives has been explained and new coating-additive chemical compositions were developed. Much work was focused on improving the understanding of environmentally adaptable fluids in engines and transmissions. New techniques for emission reduction in engines by use of biogas, advanced lubricants, coatings and light weight materials were developed. A detailed theoretical and experimental study on a new piston-ring design where the hydrodynamic micro-lubrication was generated by a textured topography containing micro-dimples resulted in 4 % fuel consumption reduction in engine tests. Transmission systems were redesigned to improve the frictional conditions resulting in a power loss reduction of up to 74 %. The results are benefited in new industrial products and improvements in production methods in the 103 companies directly involved in the research work. The 42 projects carried out have already by now when the 5 year Action comes to an end resulted in 32 industrial improvements in commercial use. The results of the COST 532 Actions were reported at a jointly organised International Tribology Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia 12-15.6.2007 including 200 participants from 35 countries. In the conference, 109 scientific papers were presented of which 41 were selected to be published in special issues of the highly ranked refereed tribology journals Wear, Tribology International and Tribotest. Professor Kenneth Holmberg can be contacted at: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (Kenneth.holmberg@vtt.fi): http://ltds.ec-lyon.fr/cost532/ 4. Georgia Elected to ITC The Georgia Society of Tribology has been elected as a full member of the ITC. The society was founded in 1982 and has 77 members and the involvement of 15 organisations. Tribology Gold medallist Prof Chinchinadze is one of its most famous ambassadors. The Chairman of the Society is Prof Sulkhan Iashvili, supported by Vice-President – Prof. Victor Zviadauri Sukha, Secretary – Dr.T. Tamaz Dgebuadze Timofee and Corresponding Members – Prof. George Tumanishvili Iosif and Dr.T. Merab Chelidze Akaki Institute of Machine Mechanics 5. Special Issue of Friction and Wear to Celebrate the Life and Work of I Kragelski Prof Myshkin (nkmyshkin@mail.ru ) is assisting in the compilation of a special issue of the Journal Friction and Wear to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prof I. Kragelski. (Issue 3 of 2008). Members are asked to submit memos, photos, or comments about Prof Kragelski to Prof Myshkin for inclusion in the journal. 6. Contributors Sought for Tribology Mission in Space A space tribometer is to be launched in 2009 by Russia and Belarus. The project began in 2003 and will end in 2009. The experiment set-up weighs about 15 kg and will test 30 samples in a pin on disc configuration in open space. Involvement in the project is open and contributors are invited to supply of samples for the mission involving films and coatings. Samples tested in space will be returned to earth. Contact Dr. Marat Bronovets (brnovets@ipmnet.ru ) and Prof Myshkin (nkmyshkin@mail.ru) for further information. 7. Developments in Tribology in Austria The Austrian Center of Competence for Tribology (AC2T) is a private operation which has some government funding within a specific program for Centers of Competence (Kplus). It now has 65 employees, of which 50 are scientists, and turnover is approximately 5m Euros per year with about 38% coming from the Austrian government. The centre tries to cover most disciplines within tribology, besides the Kplus opportunities also based on bilateral contracts with industry. The Kplus scheme will end in 1.5 years, but another project COMET (Competence Centres of Excellent Technologies) will continue for 10 years with funding consortia of up to 5m Euros each per year upon submission of a proposal, international reviewing and - at the best - approval. Research institutes are invited to co-operate and the involvement of companies may be funded by the Austrian government, even if they are overseas, provided that it can be shown that it is reasonable to involve foreign organisations. AC²T is currently preparing the setup of a COMET consortium. Besides company partners which can benefit from the funding of approximately 40 - 50 % (depending on the type of research work - basic research projects will be rewarded with higher funding rates), there will be two types of scientific partners: those which simply co-operate (e.g. based on sub-contracts) and “core partners” which are mainly involved into common strategic projects, education of staff members (or students), time-sharing of special equipment, and altogether contribute 5% (mainly through in-kind transfers) of the overall COMET budget. Those interested should contact Prof Franek or Dr Pauschitz. (mail: franek@ac2t.at, pauschitz@ac2t.at, web: www.ac2t.at) 8. Professor Tom Bell. We have to report, with great sadness, the death peacefully at home after a short illness on 17th April 2008 of Professor Tom Bell. Tom held the chair of Hanson Professor of Metallurgy at Birmingham University and was, for very many years, a prime mover in the development of the twin disciplines of Tribology and Surface Engineering. Their landscape is changed forever with his passing. Tom held many honours including the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering and, reflecting his very international outlook, he was a very proud Academician of the Academy of Engineering of China. Tom’s leadership made The International Federation of Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering a real force globally and brought like minds from many nations together to work for a common goal. Tom was huge in personality, output, contribution and influence, a great man, a wise man, an outstanding teacher and a good friend. He will be missed by all who knew and worked with him. We send our sympathy and good wishes to his widow and family. 9. Successful International Scientific Conference BALTTRIB 2007 BALTRIB 2007 was organised by the Lithuanian Scientific Society Department “Tribologija”, and took place during 21 – 23 November 2007. BALTTRIB conferences are in turn arranged in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and are intended to have a regular cycle of two years. The aim of BALTTRIB conferences is to enhance the transfer of new tribological technologies through education and the meeting of industrial needs. At the November ‘07 conference delegates from 15 countries presented papers. Their contribution ranged from the organisation of educational programmes, the application of tribological knowledge, the development of specific aids, as well as covering essential areas of research in tribological systems. 44 papers were presented. Conference materials, including proceedings of complete papers (44) are on a conference CD (ISSN 1822-8801) and will be included in international databases.
Picture: Conference Chairman Prof Juozas Padgurskas opens BALTRIB 2007 In addition to the plenary sessions, those attending the conference participated in 5 working parties: friction and wear in tribosystems, lubrication and lubricants, coating technologies and surface science, simulation of tribological processes and tribological materials. 10. World Tribology Congress 2009 (WTC IV) - Preparation in progress The fourth World Tribology Congress will be held in Kyoto from 6th to 11th September, 2009. The Japanese Society of Tribologists has started preparatory works for organizing the congress. Professor Yoshitsugu Kimura chairs the Organizing Committee, and Mr. Masatami Takimoto, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation, chairs the Executive Advisory Committee for supporting the organization. The Science Council of Japan, a Government organization, also recognizes the importance of this event and is expected to be a co-organizer of WTC IV. The venue for WTC IV is Kyoto International Conference Hall, the hall well known for a number of important international meetings including the Climate Summit in 1997. As science and technology are required to contribute towards achieving sustainable developments in the planet Earth, it has a great meaning to bring together many of tribology researchers and engineers from around the world at this venue. Kyoto, the old capital of Japan for 1200 years, is the cultural heart of Japan. The history and heritage live on in the modern city; seventeen UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites are situated in a cityscape dominated by 2000 temples and shrines. The city offers you endless opportunities to enjoy Japan. The scope of the congress includes every aspect of fundamental and applied tribology: tribology fundamentals, surface engineering, manufacturing and mechanical components, lubrication, lubricants and additives, micro-, nano- and molecular-tribology, and tribosystems. Particular areas to be focused on will be tribology for environmental protection, human related tribology, large scale simulations in tribology, and industrial tribology problems in the Asia-Pacific region. There will be regular technical sessions, poster sessions, symposium sessions on some particular areas, and exhibitions. In a special session, a lecture will be given by Professor Masatoshi Koshiba, the 2002 Nobel laureate for physics. Social program will include Welcome Reception on Sunday, Banquet on Wednesday, and technical and sightseeing tours. As the important additional events, luncheon seminars are planned where we discuss future directions of tribology. The organizing committee welcomes you all from around the world to the thousand-year old capital of Japan in the early autumn of 2009. For further information, please go to the Congress website: 11. New Course on Rheology The University of Huelva is a participant in an Erasmus Mundus Masters in Engineering Rheology (EURHEO) and hopes to interest students of partner universities in applying for the course. Information about the course, deadlines and a link for application forms are given below: EURHEO aims at offering a pioneer advanced education programme on Rheology and its applications to different Engineering areas. EURHEO combines the expertise of seven leading European Universities in the field of Rheology and the syllabus is designed to provide its graduates with the necessary competences to understand the relevance of Rheology in Materials Science and Engineering and apply the knowledge gained in solving real-world Engineering problems both autonomously and included in multidisciplinary research teams. The Masters Course will have duration of 120 ECTS credits, or 2 academic years, using English as the primary language of instruction with French and Spanish as secondary languages. EURHEO Partner Universities are:
The application deadlines are as follows:
The application form is available at the EURHEO website in the applications section: http://www.uminho.pt/eurheo EURHEO MSc Secretariat 12. Japan’s academy award for two tribologists In June 2007 Professor Koji Kato, the 2007 Tribology Gold Medal Laureate and Professor Yukio Hori were both awarded the Japan Academy Award. They were the first tribologists from the Japanese Society of Tribologists to receive this honour. The Japan Academy Award has the highest reputation in Japanese academia as a national award. its recipients are selected from the areas of literature, art, law, economy, science, engineering, medicine and agriculture. Only nine awards are made in a year. The Awards are presented by the Emperor of Japan. Recipients are invited to the Emperor’s palace for a meal and conversations for about two hours with the Emperor and Empress. As Crown Prince, the Emperor of Japan was a distinguished scientist, who received the Royal Society’s King Charles II Medal for his outstanding contribution to furthering scientific research in Japan. Professor Kato and Professor Hori’s explained Tribology to the Emperor in a conversation which is reported to have lasted fifteen minutes. 13. New web site established for the International Research Group on Wear of Engineering Materials (IRG – OECD) The International Research Group on Wear of Engineering Materials (IRG-WOEM) has been established for many years. It is formed by an informal grouping of tribologists which normally meets roughly annually. A useful collection of pdf versions of papers presented at previous meetings and details of future activities, including information about the 2008 meeting in Berlin, can be seen on their new website: http://www.irg-woem.org/ 14. National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS) A new national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS) has been planned to link world class research groups at Southampton, to develop enhanced capabilities in advanced computational and experimental Tribology. nCATS will address combining multi-scale modelling, analytical and experimental techniques to develop a better understanding of tribological processes at the molecular, micro and nano-scales and to use this understanding to link this to micro-system performance as well as predictive models concerned with macro contacts. The centre will be funded by £9.4M over 5 years from EPSRC, Industry and the University. nCATS will appoint new lecturers, post-docs and some 20 PhDs and EngDs as well as new technicians who will build multidisciplinary and specific interfaces with 6 other schools; Biosciences, Chemistry, Electronics and Computer Science, Maths, Medicine, and Statistics. Industrial funding has been secured from 25 leading companies from the UK and around the world. 15. Research collaborations between nCATS and Chinese State Key Laboratories Professor Robert Wood, Drs Shuncai Wang and Ling Wang from Southampton had a very successful visit to China between 23rd February and 1st March 2008 to establish formal research collaborations between the new National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS) and State Key Laboratories in Tribology at Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics (LICP) Chinese Academy of Sciences (shorted as ‘the Lanzhou groups’) and the Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Morden Design and Rotor-Bearing System (EMMDRBS) at Xi’an Jiaotong University (‘the Xi’an group’). There are about 200 tribologists in the Lanzhou groups and 50 in the Xi’an group. The Southampton team was impressed with the wide range of facilities (there are about 25 tribometers at LICP) and the high quality work being undertaken by both the Lanzhou and Xi’an. A one-day joint seminar on the latest research at LICP and Southampton was held in Lanzhou during this visit. 16. Correspondents invited for ITC Newsletter The Editor of the ITC newsletter is seeking contacts able to send news items for the ITC Newsletter. Ideally, correspondents should be able to send one or two news items per year. Articles should be written using WORD, be one to three paragraphs long and may be accompanied by a single picture if appropriate. News items should have an international interest. If you are able to act as a correspondent, please contact the ITC Newsletter Editor: Prof. I. Sherrington isherrington@uclan.ac.uk 17. Web Site Information As you may have seen in editions of the ITC newsletter we are seeking to facilitate improved communication, by upgrading the ITC web site to include e-mail contact details for all member societies listed there. We thank those member societies which responded to our notice regarding submission of electronic contact details in the last issue of the ITC Newsletter. However, we still do not have replies from everyone. We are, therefore, asking member societies to review their details on: http://www.itctribology.org/mem.html and to send e-mail contact addresses and any corrections to existing details, to: itcsecretariat@aol.com We are also asking that Vice Presidents and Corresponding Members provide us with corrections, as well as e-mail contact details to facilitate communication between themselves and the ITC Secretariat. (Email details will not be published on the web page.) Current details can be found at: Vice presidents: http://www.itctribology.org/vice.html Corrections and contact details should be sent to: itcsecretariat@aol.com 18. Meetings/Conferences Details of the following Meetings and Conferences are given in the Meetings and Conferences section of the web site: 4th - 6th June 2008 LUBMAT 2008 (San Sebastian, Spain) Address of ITC President The Office of the President Dr H. P. Jost is: Angel Lodge Chambers Tel: 44 (0) 203 213 1030 Email: President: itcpresident@aol.com |
