I-Corps: Low-Friction and Durable Graphite Coatings for Conveyor System Applications

这个I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力在于解决输送机系统中不良润滑做法、相关维护和设备停机所造成的经济损失，据估计，这些损失占国内生产总值（GDP）的6%，美国所有行业每年的总损失超过1万亿美元。该项目的成功完成可以显著降低输送系统的能耗和设备故障，并提供对拟议涂层技术的基本了解，该技术可应用于其他系统或组件，如轴封，轴承，齿轮和链条，从而为美国各行业带来显著节省。该技术可以扩大全球低摩擦涂层市场，取代对环境有害的非耐用粉末或喷雾润滑剂以及石油基润滑油。该项目将为I-Corps团队提供创新和创业方面的广泛教育和领导力培训，使团队具备领导高科技创业公司和在阿肯色州发展知识型产业所需的知识和技能。该I-Corps项目的重点是用于输送系统的低摩擦、耐用石墨固体润滑涂层的商业化可行性。石墨作为固体润滑剂涂层的使用由于其对基底的粘附性差和高磨损率而受到限制。所提出的新型石墨涂层可以潜在地解决这些挑战。所提出的涂层技术的关键区别在于一种独特的粘合方法，将石墨涂层粘附到具有高强度的基材上，这在以前一直具有挑战性。该项目的预期技术成果是生产出摩擦力降低至少50%且耐久性提高的干式润滑输送机材料。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project lies in addressing the economic losses resulting from poor lubrication practices in conveyor systems, associated maintenance, and equipment downtime, which are estimated to be 6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a total of more than $1 trillion per year across all U.S. industries. The successful completion of the project could significantly reduce the energy consumption and equipment failure in conveyor systems and provide a fundamental understanding of the proposed coating technology, which could be applied to other systems or components, such as shaft seals, bearings, gears, and chains, producing significant savings across U.S. industries. The technology could expand the global low-friction coating market and replace the use of non-durable powder or spray lubricants as well as petroleum-based oil lubricants, which are harmful to the environment. The project will provide extensive education and leadership training in innovation and entrepreneurship to the I-Corps team, equipping the team with the required knowledge and skills to lead high-tech startup companies and develop knowledge-based industries in Arkansas.This I-Corps project focuses on the commercialization feasibility of low friction, durable graphite solid lubricant coatings for conveyor systems. The use of graphite as a solid lubricant coating has been limited due to its poor adhesion to substrates and high wear rate. The proposed novel graphite coating can potentially address these challenges. The key differentiation of the proposed coating technology is a unique bonding approach to adhere the graphite coatings to a substrate with high strength, which has been challenging to achieve previously. The expected technical outcome of this project is the production of dry-lubricated conveyor materials that show friction reductions of at least 50% with improved durability.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.