The InterEHL project

The InterEHL project focuses on the design of novel and innovative elasto-hydrodynamic (EHD) contacts that provide remarkably low energy losses due to significantly reduced friction at the solid-liquid interfaces in fully-realistic lubrication conditions.

In this project, we will innovatively design extremely-efficient EHD contacts, with taking into an account interactions and phenomena at the solid-liquid interface that significantly effect EHD friction. To achieve this, low-surface energy, slip-inducing DLC coatings will be combined with formulated-oils by employing both, the coatings and oils that are commonly used in automotive and industrial applications. To provide proof-of-concept for this project, we already possess supporting results with some DLC coatings and some formulated oils, but this has to be systematically and scientifically confirmed in a broad range of contact conditions and materials used. Therefore, for actual industrial implementation, this concept should be proven for several commonly used formulated oils, DLC and other surfaces, together with complete and in-depth understanding of the effect of all the additives in formulation on solid-liquid interactions. Proposed project will thus address a paramount scientific goal: to find fundamental understanding and synergistic effect of additives and DLC coatings, on lubricant-DLC interactions to achieve solid-liquid slip that will provide significant EHD friction reduction in real-engineering contacts.