Research Relevance

Friction in manufacturing is a major, often overlooked source of energy loss. Around 30% of fuel energy in cars is wasted due to friction, while wear and friction cost the global economy hundreds of billions annually. Reducing friction could cut global CO₂ emissions by hundreds of millions of tonnes. Developing next-generation water-based lubricants to replace conventional oil-based systems is therefore a pressing challenge. I aim to use my robotics expertise to accelerate the discovery and development of these sustainable lubricants.

This project involves testing the performance of emerging green lubricants under high-throughput industrial conditions. This requires parametric analysis to develop a predictive model that reflect the lubricants’ effectiveness in real-world manufacturing environment.

By researching applications of water-based lubricants in replacement of oil-based lubricants, this project advances sustainable manufacturing worldwide (SDG 9, Industry and Innovation) by reducing energy waste during production process (SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production), therefore lowering carbon emissions and preserving our environment (SDG 13, Climate Action).

Project Timeline

Robotics-Assisted Autonomous Lubricant Testing [WK1-3]: → Lead the enhancement of robotic systems to test lubricants automatically under realistic, highthroughput industrial conditions. Design and conduct tests on 10–20 formulated lubricants to assess performance, durability, and effectiveness in real-world manufacturing environments.

Understanding Lubricant Behaviour [WK4–5]: → Investigate how lubricants respond to temperature, pressure, and motion, with a focus on 3–5 promising green lubricants, guiding evidence-based design decisions.

Predictive Modelling [WK4–5]: → Develop and validate models that predict lubricant performance under industrial conditions, supporting the creation of smarter, environmentally friendly lubricants.

Dissemination and Industrial Engagement [WK4–6]: → Lead collaboration with industry partners to ensure the research is relevant, share findings broadly, and promote adoption of greener manufacturing practices.

Afterword

This research project provides me the opportunity to develop as a responsible researcher, while gaining practical, hands-on experience on lubrication testing technologies under high-throughput manufacturing conditions.

Beyond the research itself, I’m particularly excited about exploring ways to make engineering research more accessible globally, including engaging students around the world in data analysis and sustainability-focused engineering challenges.

I am incredibly grateful to Professor Wang for his support, and I look forward to being an active member of the Laidlaw community over the coming years.

Super excited for what lies ahead!