In 2014, Schmitt conducted a study for GfT to determine the tribological activities at German Universities. A total of 57 Universities conduct 71 lecture courses and have 34 other activities in Tribology. Approximately 65 tribology related research and development projects are run, where the majority of topics were related to mechanical engineering followed by material science and surface technologies. The specific analysis of tribological testing revealed a total of 338 test stands with the focus on standard methods for gears, rolling element bearings seals and sliding bearings.
After 2014, a further test was conducted by McKinley Advisors in 2017, focusing on emerging trends for the Society for Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. The study dealt with the themes transportation, health care, energy, manufacturing, infromation technology and atomistic processes. Leading issues participants agreed on was the difficulty to find talent and research funding. The next study will be published in 2020.
Summary of results from the German study; 2019
The survey conducted included three main sections, demographics of the participants, where Tribology stands today and which topics are viewed important for the future.
The Tribologist in Germany is probably a mechanical engineer with a PhD. degree and active in societies related to tribological themes. Employment is equally spread amongst small, medium and large sized companies. Within the company there are positions with very few main activities that are tribology related. A high share of tribology related daily tasks deals with friction and wear, together with analysis and testing.
The question on the number of Universities in Germany with provision for tribological activities gave an average of 27, though individual results spread widely. This number is very different from the study of 2014 and might relate to the lack of knowing the actual university landscape. Professional education, conferences and workshops seem equally divided amongst those dealing with mechanical engineering and those around lubricants. The budget share of tribology related projects within institutions is mostly 1-5% and even a large part
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less than 1%. Qualitatively, the respondents felt that Fraunhofer Institutes and Portfolio Research deal more with Tribology than the others. The number of projects funded by the government is higher, while the overall budget is less than funding through foundations. Research in the industry is spread amongst machine production, transportation, energy and chemistry.
Answers to the question on how Tribology is applied on products in use revealed that there seems to be a huge lost potential. The reason being lack of knowledge on the possibility what tribology can offer in optimising processes. The impact potential of tribology on political and business economic aspects is undoubted, however it needs to be quantified in order to be heard by decision makers. The influence of tribology on environmental aspects are equally relevant with a high potential. It is viewed that Tribology is not applied well enough as short term cost optimisation has a higher priority, thus friction losses are only dealt with when function is lost. Current research topics mentioned give a comprehensive list, from which E-mobility, health care, lubricants, environment and friction/wear/ materials stick out. It was noted that, unfortunately, much focus is given over to daily problems, with very little fundamental research conducted.
With regard to the question of which topics future developments will focus upon, the responses clustered around environment, energy, lubrication, alternative powertrains and information technology. It is worth noting that the responses for future research versus current research topics were given in much more detail, so the field of tribology is not lacking ideas and concepts.
The studies of the past clearly demonstrate how relevant tribology is to developments to increase efficiency, and the need for such studies should be an integral part of our ongoing activities to quantify its potential and to build a platform of closer cooperation with neighbouring disciplines. That was clearly echoed by concluding comments of the survey respondents: “Tribology is everywhere, the world does not seem aware of its potential!”
LINK
www.mj-tribology.com
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