Automotive Tribology Center

Some specific areas of research performed at the ATC include: 

1. Additives/lower viscosity lubricants for friction reduction
2. Scuffing modeling and testing
3. Molecular dynamics simulation of friction and wear mechanisms.
4. Enhancement of physics-based tribology models using experimental data.
5. Incorporation of tribology models in engine/ transmission/ vehicle system dynamic models to assess fuel economy, durability and reliability. 
6. Nano-fluids for enhanced tribological and thermal performance

Below is a list of ongoing research projects at the ATC:

1. Development of strategies for determining near surface stress and strain, temperature rise, and surface chemistry. 
2. Development of molecular dynamics simulation techniques for the prediction of tribofilm chemistry, structure and properties. 
3. Development of a software-based design tool which predicts friction coefficient, rate of wear, and the onset of scuffing.
4. Wear and scuffing testing for model development and validation.
5. Development of procedures for mixing nanoparticles into base oils to create stable, well-dispersed nanofluid mixtures.
6. Investigation of the wear and friction performance of oil-based nanofluids.
7. Testing and measurement of thermal conductivity of nanofluid mixtures.
8. Development of classical and molecular dynamics simulation models to predict and elucidate the thermal and tribological behavior of nanofluid mixtures.
9. Development of a test machine to study piston pin/bore scuffing.
10. Determination of the effect of microstructure of materials such as steel, austempered cast iron and magnesium on tribological performance.