STLE Releases Report Identifying Top Trends in Tribology and Lubricants

PARK RIDGE, Illinois (July 26, 2023) -The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) – the premier technical society serving the needs of the tribology and lubrication engineering field – is pleased to announce the release of its 2023 Report on Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering.

The key conclusion from the 56-page report is that the application of existing and novel tribology approaches has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, as a consequence, play a prominent role in helping organizations implement sustainability practices and achieve climate change mitigation goals.

This report represents the fourth installment of an interdisciplinary research effort that began with the initial report in 2014 to update STLE membership and the tribology field every three years. Report topics and highlights are classified into the following six key categories.

• Supply Chain Issues: Challenges remain for sourcing raw materials and supplying finished materials, including lubricants, to end users. Sustainability has become a central and critical factor for organizations researching, developing and using lubricants that seek to reduce their carbon footprints.
• Sustainability: The importance of sustainability has accelerated exponentially over the past three years. This increasing trend underscores the need for tribology as a pathway for improving efficiency and productivity and reducing emissions and energy use.
• Electrification: This term encompasses the growing use of energy sources (including sustainable ones such as solar and wind energy) in not just transportation but also in applications such as data centers and emerging technologies such as cryptocurrencies.
• Manufacturing: The aggregation of data, connectivity, automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is facilitating the resolution of tribology-focused challenges. For example, combining tribology and sustainability into manufacturing plant reliability programs is gaining attention and leading to improvements in efficiency.
• Medical & Health: Tribology’s role in these areas, particularly medical implants, is leading to improvements in medical and quality-of-life outcomes.
• Government Regulation: Topics covered include regulations issued by multiple governments or regions impacting lubricants and regulation of specific raw materials that are affecting their use in lubricants, such as PFAS.

The 2023 Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering report was prepared by Dr. Neil Canter, FSTLE, CMFS Chemical Solutions, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania in collaboration with the STLE Advance Innovation Team and with input from more than 20 industry experts. Canter says, “The findings from this report indicate that individuals who are tribologists or are considering a career in tribology will have major opportunities to use their skills to make a difference in meeting challenges that will promote the growth of sustainable practices.”

Print and digital formats of the report are now available to STLE members and non-members. To place an order, click here, visit www.stle.org or call +1 847-825-5536. Findings from the report will be presented at STLE Local Sections and industry conferences, including the STLE Tribology Frontiers Conference to be held in Cleveland, Ohio in November 2023.

About the Society of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers (STLE)

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is the premier technical society serving the needs of over 13,000 individuals and 250 companies and organizations that comprise the tribology and lubrication engineering business sector. STLE members are employed by the world’s leading corporations, academic institutions and governmental agencies dealing with science and technology. STLE supports these distinguished technical experts with various professional education and certification programs. STLE is a professional technical society providing robust resources in technical research, education, and professional development delivered through programming, courses, events and periodicals on topics most important to you: safety, energy usage, maintenance, natural resources, wear and productivity.

Tribological advancements can improve productivity, profitability, sustainability and safety across several industries, including manufacturing, metalworking, transportation and power energy. Membership is available to those interested in staying current with the latest technologies, advancing their careers and making new professional connections worldwide. STLE membership is a low-cost investment with high professional rewards. For more information or to join today, visit www.stle.org.