Lubrication by Lamellar Liquid Crystals - An in-situ investigation of thin films with Brewster Angle microscopy technology

层状液晶润滑 - 使用布鲁斯特角显微镜技术对薄膜进行原位研究

• 批准号: EP/Y023277/1
• 负责人: Monica Ratoi
• 金额: $ 81.75万
• 依托单位: University of Southampton
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2024 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FY023277%2F1
• 关键词: Lubrication; Lamellar; Liquid; Crystals; situ

Tribology/lubrication are enabling technologies which can mitigate the 23% (119 EJ) of the world energy consumption originating from tribological contact. Potential savings estimated at 1-1.4% of the gross national product, 8.7% of total global energy consumption and a reduction in CO2 emissions by up to 3140 MtCO2 are possible through three groundbreaking approaches: the large-scale computational modelling of tribological systems, experimental methods with in-situ capabilities and novel materials including lubricants and additives. The development of advanced lubricants and additives is particularly promising as they are expected to exceed half of these estimated potential savings in each of the five areas: engine and drivetrain, wind turbines reliability and efficiency, metalworking, marine and rail industries.Our proposal is aligned to address two of those approaches, namely exploring new lubricants and their in-situ characterization. The material of choice for advanced lubricants is a type of liquid crystals, namely lamellar liquid crystals. Their low shear strength between layers, solid-like elasticity, high load carrying capacity and increased biodegradability have significant potential for high fuel efficiency, longer lifespans of machinery, reduced maintenance, increased environmental friendliness - all important drivers for a global shift to renewable and energy efficient operation. Understanding how LC properties could be exploited for lubrication has been limited mainly because of the lack of suitable methods to characterise them in tribological contacts. To address this challenge, we propose a new technique based on microscopy exploiting Brewster angle reflection to monitor and visualise in real time, lubricants in tribological contacts. The method, which we called Brewster Angle microscopy Plus (BAM Plus) will be applied for the first time to tribological systems. It will allow us not only to visualise, but also develop qualitative and quantitative information on molecular-thin layers in static and dynamic contacts. Understanding the mechanism behind the low friction properties of lamellar liquid crystals, their interaction with surfaces and alignment under pressure and/or shear will facilitate the development of a new class of efficient, green lubricants based on them. The application of BAM Plus to other types of organic/biomaterials will demonstrate its versatility and potential for breakthrough in lubricant development research.

摩擦学/润滑是使能技术，可以减少来自摩擦接触的23%（119 EJ）的世界能源消耗。通过三种突破性的方法，可能节省国民生产总值的1-1.4%，全球能源消耗总量的8.7%，并减少高达31.4亿吨二氧化碳的二氧化碳排放量：摩擦学系统的大规模计算建模，具有现场能力的实验方法以及包括润滑剂和添加剂在内的新型材料。先进润滑油和添加剂的开发尤其有希望，因为它们有望在以下五个领域中的每一个领域实现超过一半的潜在节约：发动机和传动系统、风力涡轮机的可靠性和效率、金属加工、船舶和铁路行业。我们的提案旨在解决其中两个方法，即探索新的润滑油及其现场表征。高级润滑剂的材料选择是一种液晶，即层状液晶。它们层间的低剪切强度、固体般的弹性、高承载能力和更高的生物降解性具有显著的潜力，可提高燃料效率、延长机械寿命、减少维护、提高环境友好性-所有这些都是全球转向可再生能源和节能操作的重要驱动力。了解如何利用LC特性进行润滑一直是有限的，主要是因为缺乏合适的方法来消除它们在摩擦接触。为了应对这一挑战，我们提出了一种新的技术，利用布鲁斯特角反射的显微镜监测和可视化在真实的时间，润滑剂的摩擦接触。该方法，我们称之为布鲁斯特角显微镜加（BAM加）将首次应用于摩擦学系统。它将使我们不仅能够可视化，而且还可以开发静态和动态接触中分子薄层的定性和定量信息。了解层状液晶的低摩擦性能背后的机制，它们与表面的相互作用以及在压力和/或剪切下的排列将促进基于它们的新型高效绿色润滑剂的开发。BAM Plus应用于其他类型的有机/生物材料将证明其多功能性和在润滑剂开发研究中取得突破的潜力。