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This month we talk about understanding and optimizing tribological performance is vital for improving fuel efficiency, extending component lifespan, and reducing emissions in modern vehicles. Dr. Nolan Chu from Auburn University and Dr. Arup Gangopadhyay from Ford Motor Company will share insights into the complex computational models being developed to predict and mitigate wear in critical areas such as engines, transmissions, and brake systems. We’ll discuss the challenges of accurately simulating these real-world conditions and how this research translates into the next generation of more durable and efficient automotive technology. Tune in to learn how advanced tribological modeling is driving innovation on the road.

Our Presenters:

Dr. Nolan Chu received his bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and in Applied Mathematics - Actuarial Science from Auburn University in May 2016, his master's in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University in May 2018, and my doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University in May 2023. His work as a graduate student mainly focused on modeling engine components to evaluate friction reduction strategies, but also worked on elastic and elastic-plastic rough surface contact models.

Dr. Arup Gangopadhyay is a technical leader of powertrain tribology in energy, propulsion and sustainability in research and advanced engineering at Ford Motor Co., where he has worked for more than 30 years. His research focus is on reducing friction and wear in powertrain systems, as well as understanding the interaction between lubricant additives and surfaces and coatings, with the ultimate goal of improving fuel economy. He has published 80 technical papers, holds a number of U.S. patents and was awarded the Engineering Society of Detroit’s Gold Award in September 2020, which honors exceptional engineers and scientists. He has served as a board member for the STLE Detroit Section since 2000 and also served two terms as an STLE board member. He was elected an STLE Fellow in 2004.

For more information on STLE, please visit https://www.stle.org/ If you have an idea for our podcast, or interested in being a guest, please Email STLE Director of Professional Development Robert Morowczynski at rmorowczynski@stle.org . Also, we love your feedback, please take a minute to provide us with your thoughts at Perfecting Motion Podcast Feedback or Email us at rmorowczynski@stle.org.

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This podcast episode explores the fascinating world of tribology as it applies to everyday fasteners. Tribology, the science of friction, wear, and lubrication, is the unsung hero behind the function of countless devices we use to hold things together or secure them. From the thousands of tiny hooks and loops that make up Velcro to the teeth and locking mechanism of a zip tie, and the knots in shoelaces or the mechanics of snaps, these seemingly simple devices rely fundamentally on controlling and manipulating friction. We'll delve into how these tribological principles enable us to perform both routine tasks—like securing a jacket—and more critical operations, ensuring that the devices we depend on to tighten and connect components remain reliable under stress. Tune in to discover the hidden engineering that keeps our world—quite literally—fastened together.

Our Guests:
Melissa Mushrush has been a chemist for the MOLYKOTE® Specialty Lubricants brand since 2017, specializing in anti-friction coatings to improve friction and wear performance. She brings expertise in vacuum technology, thin-film deposition, material characterization, process data management, and accelerated testing methods. During her 14 years at The Dow Chemical Company, Melissa worked on diverse projects, including polymer light-emitting diodes and thin-film solar technology. She played a key role in establishing Dow’s solar expertise, collaborating with institutions like NREL and the University of Delaware. Melissa’s career reflects a strong focus on innovative materials research and practical industrial applications.

Katherine Helmetag is an organometallic chemist with BS and MS degrees from Drexel University. She has been working in tribology since the start of her career and has focused on lubricant design for all types of metalworking operations. Katherine’s current role as a process engineering manager for Henkel NA Operations has her focused on operation excellence in the chemical manufacturing industry. She mentors Team#2960 of FIRST Robotics as the materials lead and volunteers with Scouting America as a Unit Commissioner and Merit Badge Counselor, and enjoys instructing HPDE events around Michigan.

Both Christine and Kathy were also guests on our January 2025 Perfecting Motion episode on the Tribology of Footwear.

For more information on STLE, please visit https://www.stle.org/ If you have an idea for our podcast, or interested in being a guest, please Email STLE Director of Professional Development Robert Morowczynski at rmorowczynski@stle.org . Also, we love your feedback, please take a minute to provide us with your thoughts at Perfecting Motion Podcast Feedback or Email us at rmorowczynski@stle.org.

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The History of Tribology in History Part II - From Byzantine Ingenuity to Da Vinci's Genius

Welcome back to the second installment of our series on the history of tribology. In this episode, we're delving into the fascinating period from the Byzantine Empire through the Renaissance. We'll explore how Byzantine engineers applied advanced knowledge of friction, lubrication, and wear to create remarkably durable machinery, from intricate siege engines to complex water-lifting devices. Their practical innovations laid a crucial, often overlooked, foundation for later advancements.

The episode then shifts to the Renaissance, where we'll highlight the extraordinary contributions of Leonardo da Vinci. A true pioneer, Da Vinci moved beyond mere observation to scientifically investigate the laws of friction, recording his findings in his notebooks centuries before they were formally understood. His work provides a stunning example of how tribological principles were integrated into art, engineering, and invention, from his designs for flying machines to his revolutionary ball bearings. Join us as we uncover how ancient ingenuity and a single genius's curiosity shaped the world of motion and mechanics.

For more information, see Ramoun's supplemental information here.

Our guest:

Ramoun Mourhatch has had a robust career spanning over 14 years in materials science, tribology, and lubrication, predominantly focused on automotive engine oils within Chevron. The experience highlights a clear progression, beginning with roles as a Lead Materials Scientist, Tribologist, and Failure Analyst for engines and lubricated systems, transitioning into Technology Development Formulator, and culminating as a Senior Scientist specializing in Automotive Engine Oils. A core competency demonstrated across these roles is advanced statistical data analysis, particularly using JMP, applied to technology development and formulation. The professional foundation includes a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering with post-doctoral work in Tribology and Lubrication, coupled with significant volunteer leadership in the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), underscoring a deep commitment to the field's advancement.

For more information on STLE, please visit https://www.stle.org/ If you have an idea for our podcast, or interested in being a guest, please Email STLE Director of Professional Development Robert Morowczynski at rmorowczynski@stle.org . Also, we love your feedback, please take a minute to provide us with your thoughts at Perfecting Motion Podcast Feedback or Email us at rmorowczynski@stle.org.

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This month we're diving into the often-overlooked history of friction, lubrication, and wear. From the practical ingenuity of ancient civilizations to the groundbreaking discoveries of the Industrial Revolution, we'll explore how humanity has continuously grappled with the challenges of rubbing things together. Join us as we uncover how the Egyptians moved massive stones using sledges and lubricated sand, how Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks were filled with sketches of bearings and gears, and how the development of machine parts revolutionized everything from transportation to manufacturing.

Our guest:

Ramoun Mourhatch has had a robust career spanning over 14 years in materials science, tribology, and lubrication, predominantly focused on automotive engine oils within Chevron. The experience highlights a clear progression, beginning with roles as a Lead Materials Scientist, Tribologist, and Failure Analyst for engines and lubricated systems, transitioning into Technology Development Formulator, and culminating as a Senior Scientist specializing in Automotive Engine Oils. A core competency demonstrated across these roles is advanced statistical data analysis, particularly using JMP, applied to technology development and formulation. The professional foundation includes a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering with post-doctoral work in Tribology and Lubrication, coupled with significant volunteer leadership in the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), underscoring a deep commitment to the field's advancement.

For more information on STLE, please visit https://www.stle.org/ If you have an idea for our podcast, or interested in being a guest, please Email STLE Director of Professional Development Robert Morowczynski at rmorowczynski@stle.org . Also, we love your feedback, please take a minute to provide us with your thoughts at Perfecting Motion Podcast Feedback or Email us at rmorowczynski@stle.org.

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Join us for the second session of our hit friction podcast, where we delve into the intricate world of friction at the surface, exploring suggested mechanisms like the foundational adhesion theory by Bowden and Tabor and its historical roots at the Cambridge Cavendish Laboratory, while also discovering how our hosts, Vern and Marc, began their journeys in tribology. This episode tackles boundary friction and techniques for controlling friction at the surface, highlighting the critical importance of accurate friction measurement and clarifying the distinction between friction and traction, including the traction of fluids under shear, and even questioning whether zero friction is achievable. We'll outline engineering guidelines for designing contact interfaces to precisely control friction for specific applications, underscoring the significant impact a tribologist can make through experimental data and modeling for new materials and lubricants—crucial for avoiding costly, high-risk mechanical system testing, a field where companies founded by Marc and Vern are pioneering innovative experimental friction physics. Ultimately, we emphasize the "art of dialogue" in tribology as a truly interdisciplinary subject, demanding expertise across physics, chemistry, metallurgy, and mechanical engineering.

For more information, see our advanced show notes.

Our Panelists:

Vern Wedeven, President of Wedeven Associates, Inc. (WAI), is a leading expert in tribology research and development, with a career spanning over three decades. Since 1987, he and his team at WAI have pioneered specialized tribology test machines and methods, culminating in the innovative Tribology-by-Design (T/D) approach—a comprehensive system integrating theory, tools, methodology, and strategy to solve complex tribological challenges. Dr. Wedeven's significant contributions include advancements in space propulsion systems, such as the Space Shuttle Main Engine turbopumps, and aeropropulsion, with work on jet engine oils, bearings, and gear materials. An alumnus of Calvin University, the University of Michigan, and Imperial College, London, his extensive experience includes tenures at NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Headquarters, and SKF-America. He has authored over sixty technical papers, contributed to three books, and holds three patents. A Fellow of STLE, Dr. Wedeven has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Walter D. Hodson Award, the Captain Alfred E. Hunt Award, the Arch T. Colwell Cooperative Engineering Medal, and the STLE International Award.

Marc Ingram has over 10 years experience working in Tribology. His masters degree in Chemistry and PhD in Engineering (Tribology) helps him easily bridge the gap that so often exists between lubricant formulator and field/test engineer. He has worked with all major oil and additive companies after a successful career at Imperial College, PCS Instruments and Afton Chemical. Marc has extensive knowledge of all tribology test methods including both standardized and non-standardized lubricant tests. He has designed, modified and improved countless methods, to u

For more information on STLE, please visit https://www.stle.org/ If you have an idea for our podcast, or interested in being a guest, please Email STLE Director of Professional Development Robert Morowczynski at rmorowczynski@stle.org . Also, we love your feedback, please take a minute to provide us with your thoughts at Perfecting Motion Podcast Feedback or Email us at rmorowczynski@stle.org.

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This is the first episode in a two-part series exploring the fundamental principles of friction, tailored for lubrication engineers and tribologists. In "Friction Unveiled," we delve into the essential question: What is friction and why is its understanding so critical in our field? We will differentiate between static and dynamic friction, illustrating their distinct behaviors and implications. The episode will highlight practical examples where managing friction is paramount, examining scenarios where low friction is desired—such as enhancing the efficiency of race cars, extending the range of electric vehicles, optimizing turbofan performance, and improving the general operation of most machinery. Conversely, we will explore applications where high friction is essential for safety and function, including the critical roles of brakes and tires, with a specific example of wet brakes in cranes. Finally, we will introduce the key methods for controlling friction, providing an overview of lubrication regimes, the significance of viscosity, the role of lubricant additives, and the impact of surface coatings, concluding with some final thoughts on the pervasive influence of friction in engineering.

For more information, visit Vern's presentation on friction and traction.

For a brief video demonstration of our conversation, check out our YouTube Short.

Join us for Part II on July 28, 2025!

Our Panelists:

Vern Wedeven, President of Wedeven Associates, Inc. (WAI), is a leading expert in tribology research and development, with a career spanning over three decades. Since 1987, he and his team at WAI have pioneered specialized tribology test machines and methods, culminating in the innovative Tribology-by-Design (T/D) approach—a comprehensive system integrating theory, tools, methodology, and strategy to solve complex tribological challenges. Dr. Wedeven's significant contributions include advancements in space propulsion systems, such as the Space Shuttle Main Engine turbopumps, and aeropropulsion, with work on jet engine oils, bearings, and gear materials. An alumnus of Calvin University, the University of Michigan, and Imperial College, London, his extensive experience includes tenures at NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Headquarters, and SKF-America. He has authored over sixty technical papers, contributed to three books, and holds three patents. A Fellow of STLE, Dr. Wedeven has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Walter D. Hodson Award, the Captain Alfred E. Hunt Award, the Arch T. Colwell Cooperative Engineering Medal, and the STLE International Award.

Marc Ingram has over 10 years experience working in Tribology. His masters degree in Chemistry and PhD in Engineering (Tribology) helps him easily bridge the gap that so often exists between lubricant formulator and field/test engineer. He has worked with all major oil and additive companies after a successful career at Imperial College, PCS Instruments and Afton Chemical. Marc has extensive knowledge of all tribology test methods inc

For more information on STLE, please visit https://www.stle.org/ If you have an idea for our podcast, or interested in being a guest, please Email STLE Director of Professional Development Robert Morowczynski at rmorowczynski@stle.org . Also, we love your feedback, please take a minute to provide us with your thoughts at Perfecting Motion Podcast Feedback or Email us at rmorowczynski@stle.org.

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In this episode of Perfecting Motion, we spotlight a true Titan of Tribology—Gary Wood, the northeast district sales manager at HF Sinclair and longtime CLS-certified member since 1986. Hosted by STLE President Kevin Delaney of Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC, this conversation dives deep into Gary’s distinguished career, leadership within the CLS committee, and decades of contributions to the field of tribology. Listeners will also gain insight into the mentors who shaped Gary’s journey, his greatest professional accomplishments, and the evolving challenges he has faced in the lubrication and tribology sectors. He also shares his forward-looking perspective on the future of the field and offers valuable advice for newcomers. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring tribologists and seasoned professionals alike, highlighting the impactful role of STLE in shaping careers and advancing the science of tribology.

Our Titan of Tribology:

Gary Wood, District Manager at Petro-Canada Lubricants / HF Sinclair, I manage the sales and distribution of Petro-Canada Lubricants in the Northeast region, working with a network of distributors and customers to deliver high-quality products and services. I have been in this role since Aug 2022, and I bring over 30 years of experience and expertise in the lubrication industry, as well as a certification as a Lubrication Specialist from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE).

Our Host:

Kevin Delaney, global sales director for the Petroleum Group at Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC, in Norwalk, Conn., and STLE’s current 2025-2026 president. Delaney graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Penn State University in 1979. He has worked in the lubricants industry for more than 40 years. The first 20 years of his career were spent in the laboratory synthesizing additives, formulating packages, developing metalworking fluids and providing technical service for polyalkylene glycols and biocides. Since then, he’s worked in technical sales and sales management with extensive experience in Asia Pacific. Delaney has been an STLE member since 1983. He held every office in the previous STLE Connecticut Section at least once and organized several of their education days. He was on the STLE Board of Directors from 2005 to 2009. He also was vice chair of the Metalworking Technical Committee in 2000.

For more information on STLE, please visit https://www.stle.org/ If you have an idea for our podcast, or interested in being a guest, please Email STLE Director of Professional Development Robert Morowczynski at rmorowczynski@stle.org . Also, we love your feedback, please take a minute to provide us with your thoughts at Perfecting Motion Podcast Feedback or Email us at rmorowczynski@stle.org.

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This month's episode focuses on using friction to help us. Yes, that's right, embracing the friction that tribologists try to combat. The focus is of tactile aids that solely rely on physical bumps, lines, and textures are limited in the amount and density of information they can convey due to "tactile clutter" within a small physical space. The lab has found that different surface chemistries alone can create distinct sensations without adding larger scale roughness, and Maryanne's work identifies frictional instabilities as a framework for predicting how different surfaces will feel from each other. This type of analysis and connection between material structure and dynamic friction can help predict how to engineer more advanced materials to expand the types of sensations people can feel, and design more types of tactile aids, such as sensors or medical diagnostics with inherently switchable materials.

Our Guests:

Maryanne Derkaloustian is a third year PhD candidate at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware. She received her BS in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her current research in the Dhong Lab focuses on connecting surface structure and chemistry to frictional phenomena at the length scale of human touch to understand how humans tell surfaces apart and engineer next generation tactile aids. She was the recipient of a 2024 STLE Scholarship Award from the Philadelphia section.

Prof. Charles Dhong is an assistant professor at the University of Delaware in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He received his BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in the same at Johns Hopkins University. He then held a postdoc at the University of California, San Diego with Prof. Darren Lipomi in the Department of Nanoengineering. His research is currently funded through multiple grants through the National Institutes of Health, including as PI and coPI of NIH R01s. His students have received awards and recognition in several professional societies, including three students who have received the STLE Scholarship Award.

For more information on textures and friction, check out our past TLT article on "Measuring the Brain's Response to Braille Friction".

For more information on STLE, please visit https://www.stle.org/ If you have an idea for our podcast, or interested in being a guest, please Email STLE Director of Professional Development Robert Morowczynski at rmorowczynski@stle.org . Also, we love your feedback, please take a minute to provide us with your thoughts at Perfecting Motion Podcast Feedback or Email us at rmorowczynski@stle.org.