Guest Lecture: Multiphysics tribology for electric vehicle bearings

Come along to the next Wolfson Lecture, where guest speaker Prof. Robert Jackson will explore his latest research in lubricated contacts in electrical environments. Prof. Jackson is Albert Smith Jr. Professor at Auburn University and a leading expert in Tribology. In his talk 'Multiphysics Tribology for Electric Vehicle Bearings', he will discuss his team's research into this topic.

Abstract:

Many industries depend upon effective friction, wear and lubrication (tribology) practices for efficient and reliable performance. In electric vehicles, power generation and space applications, the contacts can also be electrified. Electrical current across a contact can heat the material, change its properties, and in some cases, discharges or arcing can damage the surfaces. In lubricated contacts, the mechanisms of wear and friction are governed by both solid and fluid interactions. At small lubricant film thicknesses, the surface roughness affects both the lubricant flow and solid contact. Therefore, numerical models of mixed-lubrication cases must incorporate coupled electromagnetic, solid and fluid mechanics solutions. These models must also include the effect of micro and sometimes nano-scale roughness. Then the considered geometry spans several different scales. However, if researchers can overcome these obstacles, the resulting numerical models prove their worth as powerful analytical and predictive tools.

Short Bio:

Robert L. Jackson is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University. Prof. Jackson serves as the current Editor-in-Chief of the ASME Journal of Tribology and the Chair of the IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts. Prof. Jackson’s research interests include contact mechanics, hydrodynamic lubrication, lubricant additives, electrical contacts, and machine component design. In 2012, Prof. Jackson also initiated one of the first undergraduate minors in the field of Tribology. He is an ASME and STLE Fellow.