Active surface technology could reduce emissions
Using the right materials and coating techniques in machines and engines could further reduce emissions of both particles and greenhouse gases. This is the result of new research at Uppsala University.
“Considering the great number of vehicles in the world, just a few per cent in reduced energy losses and emissions would have a great positive effect”, says Fredrik Gustavsson, doctoral student of applied materials science at the Ångström laboratory.
Today’s strict environmental regulations have reduced the number of harmful additives in oils and fuels, at the same time as more renewable and biologically degradable fuels are developed. This means that the chemical environment today is drastically different from the traditional environment in mechanical contacts, which increases demands on the contact surfaces in engines and machines.
Fredrik Gustavsson’s thesis shows how well modern surfaces can work together with new types of oils and fuels, and that the choice of surface affects both energy consumption and ware.
The thesis studies how a certain type of surface, so called tribologically active surfaces, create and maintain extremely low friction and high resistance to ware by changing its structure, composition and friction properties to the better during use.
The studied materials are structured to have low friction already on first contact. They have the unique quality of reacting to high stress by further reducing friction and ware. They also have the ability to spread over the contact surfaces and “heal” damaged areas.
“Reduced ware in machines and engines and reduced friction is more important than ever. Both the energy savings and the environmental gains this technology leads to are strong driving forces for research and development in the area”, says Fredrik Gustavsson.
His doctoral thesis will be defended on 22 February at 10.15, in the Siegbahn hall at the Ångström laboratory.