Assessment of Industrial Attitudes Toward Generic Research Needs in Tribology

Abstract : Experts estimate that in 1978 over four quadrillion Btu of energy were lost in the United States because of simple friction and wear--enough energy to supply New York City for an entire year. This translates to a $20 billion loss, based on oil prices of about $30 per barrel. Because of the enormity of this energy loss, the Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies (ECUT) Program in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiated a program in 1983 to Study tribology--the science of friction and wear--to learn more about the causes of these energy losses (or tribological "sinks") and how to reduce them. The ECUT Program itself was started in 1980 to encourage research to improve energy conversion and utilization efficiency. The enormous energy loss In tribological sinks has been targeted by the ECUT program as having significant potential for energy conservation. One goal of the ECUT Tribology Program is to reduce these energy losses by developing improved lubricants and more durable materials.