Penn State Department of Chemical Engineering, Senior Research Scientist Joseph Perez

Faculty

Tribology is a multidisciplinary science. It is the study of the lubrication of moving surfaces. Projects often involve research with other peers such as mechanical engineers, materials scientists, surface chemists, and even medical specialists. The ankle bone is connected to the leg bone and the knee bone through a very sophisticated tribological system where friction, wear, and lubrication are important.

Our current research involves postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate Honors students. The projects include:

development of an environmentally friendly lubricant for the Navy.

research to improve the lubrication of refrigeration compressor systems using the new ozone friendly fluorocarbons.

development of test methods to screen new automotive lubricants to reduce the number of expensive, full-scale engine tests required during development.

research to improve the thermal and oxidative characteristics of renewable biodegradable basestocks to enable their use as hydraulic and engine lubricants.

and a study to understand and improve the compatibility of additives and lubricants when used with alternative fuels.

In addition, we plan to continue to conduct basic studies. These include research on rheological properties of lubricants, polymers, thermal and oxidative stability, friction, wear, and grease formulation. In the rheology area Penn State has a variety of facilities including unique high-pressure instrumentation to study shear of polymers and lubricants.

Lubricant thermo-oxidative stability and additive effectiveness play key roles in extending the useful life of lubricants. The design of lubricants for use in extreme environments requires understanding of the thermal and oxidative reactions and the mechanisms by which the systems fail. We study the processes, chemical kinetics, and model the various reactions involved in specific end-use systems using a Klaus Microreactor and GPC to obtain input data.

Friction and wear studies range from liquids, to gases, to solids. High-temperature lubricants are required for advanced engines and considerable research on synthetic lubricants and additives. Vapor phase lubrication of metal processing and engines remain areas of interest to industry. Solid lubricants and greases are wide open areas for further work. The final area, possibly with the most potential for research, is the study of new materials and lubricants for artificial joints and other medical replacements.

If you like a challenge, join us. Tribology is looking for a few good slippery individuals.