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/润滑是促成技术，可以减轻源自摩擦学接触的世界能量消耗的23％（119 EJ）。通过三种开创性方法，可以估计估计为国民总产品的1-1.4％，占全球总能源消耗的8.7％，最高3140 mtco2的二氧化碳排放量减少了3140 mtco2：摩擦学系统的大规模计算建模，具有润滑剂和新型材料在内的实验方法，包括润滑剂和添加剂在内的实验方法。高级润滑剂和添加剂的开发尤其令人鼓舞，因为预计它们将超过这五个领域的每个潜在节省的一半：发动机和传动系统，风力涡轮机的可靠性和效率，金属工业，海洋和铁路行业。晚期润滑剂的首选材料是一种液晶，即层状液体晶体。它们之间的低剪切强度在层之间，固体样弹性，高负载承载能力和提高的生物降解性具有高燃油效率，更长的机械寿命，降低的维护，增加的环境友好性的可能性很大 - 所有重要的驱动因素都是全球转移到可再生和能源效率运行的全球转移驱动因素。了解如何利用LC特性进行润滑的限制，主要是因为缺乏在摩擦学接触中表征它们的合适方法。为了应对这一挑战，我们提出了一种基于显微镜的新技术，利用了Brewster角度反射，以实时监测和可视化，即摩擦学接触中的润滑剂。我们称之为BREWSTER角度显微镜Plus（BAM Plus）的方法将首次应用于摩擦学系统。它不仅使我们能够可视化，还可以在静态和动态接触中开发有关分子薄层的定性和定量信息。了解层状液体晶体低摩擦特性背后的机制，它们与表面和压力和/或剪切下的相互作用将有助于基于它们的新型高效，绿色润滑剂的发展。 BAM Plus在其他类型的有机/生物材料中的应用将证明其多功能性和润滑剂开发研究中突破的潜力。