Cleveland to host STLE Tribology Frontiers Conference and Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is to host a co-branded event, the STLE Tribology Frontiers Conference (TFC) and Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference, which will take place from November 12-15 at the Marriott Downtown at Key Tower in Cleveland, OH, USA. This four-day joint conference will give attendees two exciting opportunities to discover the latest developments in tribology and lubrication engineering science, all under one roof. The event will cater to diverse interests within the field and will feature presentations covering a variety of technical topics, ranging from biotribology, fluid lubrication, and tribochemistry to the domains of EV hardware, grease, and thermal management.

Rebecca Lintow, CAE, STLE Executive Director, commented, "Our co-branded event offers attendees the best of both worlds. By combining these two popular events, members of the tribology and lubrication engineering field can now enjoy expanded content and more networking opportunities."

A much-anticipated highlight of this event is the STLE's Tribology Frontiers Conference (TFC) running from November 12-15. The TFC offers a platform for attendees to engage with globally esteemed industry experts, academics, and government researchers. Together, they will examine the technical, environmental, and social issues shaping tribology research in the 21st century. The TFC will feature daily keynote presentations, including "Spotlight" talks by distinguished principal investigators, a poster competition showcasing graduate, undergraduate, and early career research, and the popular "Beyond the Cutting Edge" symposium, meticulously organised by the editors of Tribology Letters.

On Monday, November 13, 2023, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Juliette Cayer-Barrioz, Research Director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). Her keynote address, entitled "Surfaces in Lubrication: A Multiscale Analysis," will delve into the world of surface roughness, bridging the gap in friction scale from molecular to multi-asperity contacts. She will also explore the tribological behavior of adsorbed polymer layers on surfaces across various lubrication regimes.

Dr. Neil Canter, President of Chemical Solutions, will take the stage on Monday afternoon to discuss STLE's 2023 Report on Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering. His session will dissect key trends and opportunities shaping the tribology and lubrication field, from supply chain and sustainability to electrification, manufacturing, medical/health, and government regulations.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 14, 2023, Dr. Michael Kotzalas, Director of Global Customer Engineering at The Timken Company, will present a keynote talk on the crucial role of energy efficiency in the rolling bearing industry. His presentation, titled "Development of Power Dense and Energy Efficient Bearings to Address the Needs of Modern Machinery," will investigate tribological applications including lubricant rheology, film formation, contact surfaces geometry, and material wear. Dr. Kotzalaswill show riveting examples of how these technologies are actively shaping the industry.

Running in conjunction with the TFC, the STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference, taking place November 14 and 15, will explore current technical challenges and opportunities shaping the future of electric vehicle technologies within the tribology and lubrication field. The event will include expert-led presentations from renowned companies and organisations invested in e-mobility, along with panel discussions on contemporary electric vehicle technologies and recent advancements in lubrication. To access the preliminary technical program, click here.   

On Tuesday, November 14, Troy Muransky, Lead Materials Engineer at American Axle & Manufacturing, will deliver a keynote talk titled "Challenges of Selecting the Correct Electric Vehicle Driveline Fluid." His presentation will offer an invaluable insight to the intricacies of driveline requirements, selection, and hardware design trends for fluids in the context of electric vehicles.