The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) — the technical society for individuals in the field of tribology and lubrication engineering — is hosting a co-branded event, the 2023 STLE Tribology Frontiers Conference (TFC) and Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference, on November 12-15 at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower in Cleveland, Ohio.   

The four-day joint event will provide attendees with two opportunities to share and learn the latest tribology and lubrication engineering science — all in one location. Presentations will cover various technical topics, including biotribology, fluid lubrication, tribochemistry, electrification, EV hardware, grease, thermal management, etc.   

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

Attendees will join researchers from around the globe at the 2023 STLE Tribology Frontiers Conference as they exchange the newest research in tribology and lubrication. STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference participants will explore the latest technical challenges and commercial opportunities impacting the future of electric vehicle technologies in the tribology and lubrication field. 

STLE Tribology Frontiers Conference  

STLE's Tribology Frontiers Conference (TFC) will be held November 12-15. The event will enable attendees to engage with world-renowned industry, academic and government researchers to learn more about the technical, environmental and social issues impacting tribology research in the 21st Century. The event will feature daily keynote presentations, invited “Spotlight” talks by notable principal investigators, a graduate, undergraduate and early career research poster competition, and the popular “Beyond the Cutting Edge” special symposium (organized by the editors of Tribology Letters). To access the preliminary technical program, click here.    

On Monday, November 13, 2023, Juliette Cayer-Barrioz, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) research director, STMS/LTDS, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, will give a keynote address on how reducing friction can benefit global processes and welfare. Her presentation — “Surfaces in Lubrication: A Multiscale Analysis” — will discuss how surface roughness bridges the friction scale gap from molecular to multi-asperity contacts. She will also touch on the tribological behavior of adsorbed polymer layers on surfaces over all the lubrication regimes.   

Dr. Neil Canter, president of Chemical Solutions, will give a keynote presentation on Monday afternoon regarding STLE’s 2023 Report on Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering. His session will discuss key trends and opportunities that are and will be impacting the tribology and lubrication field, including supply chain, sustainability, electrification, manufacturing, medical/health and government regulations.  

On Tuesday afternoon, November 14, 2023, Dr. Michael Kotzalas, director of global customer engineering of The Timken Company, will present a keynote on the 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 address tribological applications such as lubricant rheology and film formation, contact surfaces geometry and material wear and offer examples of how these technologies are being used in the field. 

STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference  

The STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference will be held with the TFC from November 14-15. Visitors will be able to explore the latest technical challenges and opportunities impacting the future of electric vehicle technologies in the tribology and lubrication field. The event will feature expert-led presentations from leading companies and organizations interested in e-mobility, panel discussions on state-of-the-art electric vehicle technologies and lubrication developments, and networking opportunities.  

On Tuesday, November 14, Troy Muransky, lead materials engineer of American Axle & Manufacturing, will give a keynote titled “Challenges of Selecting the Correct Electric Vehicle Driveline Fluid.” The presentation will discuss driveline requirements, selection and hardware design trends for fluids.  

stle.org/joint