IMBeing · Towards Intelligent Micro-Bearings – Tribological Aspects (IMBeing)

Periodic Report Summary 1 - IMBEING (Towards Intelligent Micro-Bearings – Tribological Aspects (IMBeing))

The Project Objectives The project makes a basement for networking, staff exchanging and joint seminars and workshop between partners, who all deal with the problem of tribology aspects of micro-bearings including friction and lubrication of micro-pairs and friction of micro-joints in conical, spherical, cylindrical, parabolic and hyperbolical micro-bearings. The aim is shaping a focus group for further cooperation and joint scientific researches in the mentioned field. Microbearings are used today in different fields: bioengineering and biotechnology, industrial Micro Elements and Micro Systems (MEMS), Micro Power Units (MPU) and Micro Engines (ME), control systems and actuators and many others. Moreover, there are numerous analogies between bio-bearings (for example knees) and micro-bearings in their hydrodynamic behavior, lubrication processes and tribological aspects. Development of nanoscience and application of nanotechnology enabled the researchers to understand these properties better and deeper. However, still there are many unanswered questions regarding behavior and properties of these contact surfaces. More important is, of course, control of these features by an active method, as these physical parts are very small with very low time constants and conventional control systems are not able to satisfy the requirements like stability and quality of their response. In fact only by active control of these systems we may be able to gain the goal and impose the demanded quality on them. This requires application of artificial intelligence leading to make an intelligent micro bearing. Therefore, it is obvious from one side there are many similarities between bio bearings and micro bearings and from the other hand solutions for the given problems can be found only through a multidisciplinary research group. This IRSES project is an answer to such a demand. The fundamental result of the activities is establishing a long-term cooperation between the partners and a joint research program for further actions. The project deals with the mentioned research needs and includes staffs exchanging between partners from EU and TC based on an almost equal scheme, joint seminars and workshops, as well as final presentations for each period of staff exchange. Description of the work The work program initially included 168 months staffs exchange between partners from EU and OTC countries based on an almost equal scheme (87 MM hosting of 17 researchers from OTC by EU partners and 81 MM hosting of 17 researchers from EU by OTC partners) and 3 joint seminars and workshops, as well as final presentations for each period of exchanges. So far, for the first period of the project (18 months: 02-01.2014-01.07.2015), totally 56 researcher-month is realized under ImBeing, which is 87% of the plan for this period. However, the number of researchers have been increased from 34 to 37, which means the project successfully integrated a wider group of researchers. The researchers (Early Stage and Experienced Researchers), who are seconded for the project are selected so that the gender issue is taken into account (at least 30% female). The presentations and seminars are accessible publicly, free of charge. It should be mentioned that all partner organizations have accepted and signed an agreement of cooperation under IMBeing and then a Partnership Agreement. The 1st International Seminar entitled “Modelling and Simulation in Hydrodynamics and Tribology of Micro and Bio Bearings" was organizing by Institute of Technology and Education, (KUT) in cooperation with GUT and AM. The conference was held on 26-27 June 2014. Totally, 26 researchers from EU beneficiaries and TC partners took part in this conference. During the seminar 8 presentations have made and 8 posters delivered under poster session organized parallel to the seminar. The project webpage is available online in which the necessary information and majority of publications are available: http://pg.edu.pl/imbeing. The main achieved results 1. The techniques of the possible application to the investigation of micro- and nano-tribology, that are based on the usage of the atomic force microscope (AFM) has been learned and practiced. The related knowledge has been transferred to those visitors, who was hosted by HMTI. It was possible to gain a basic knowledge on the usage of such apparatus as well as on the potential parameters that can be determined for the sample of interest with such device. For example, micrograms of polished steel surface at various levels of magnifications has been successfully tested by AFM. With the assistance of the AFM it was possible to obtain information on the surface properties resulting from various scanning modes that can be implemented. With the unique possibility that is offered by the AFM, such as 3D imaging, it was also possible to gather information that can be used to calculate surface roughness. Images allowing to examine surface in 3D are presented in the reports. It was also shown and tested by the researchers, how parameters like hardness can be determined for the material of interest using nano-indentation mode of AFM. 2. Preparing and installation, as well as experimental investigations on the test rig for water lubricated bearings. The rig test will be developed and equipped further. It will be used for investigation of novel solutions of water lubricating idea with decreasing the frictional force and energy losses, gaining high mechanical efficiency both for all kind of bearings from micro scales to large diameter bearings used in marine technologies and propulsion systems. 3. Training the researchers. Two examples are as follows: a. The use of advanced techniques of atomic force microscope NT-206, especially in terms of topography measurements of cooperating bearing and micro-bearings surfaces (contact mode, non-contact mode, nano-indentation, micro- and nano-hardness). The measurements of physical quantities such as viscosity, hardness, plasticity, normal stresses. b. The use of Hysitron measuring system to measure the micro-hardness, including micro-hardness of sliding bearings and micro-bearings materials. 4. Developing the measuring methods in different participant institutes. It includes conducting own measurements of surface topography and nano-hardness of the contact surfaces of slide bearings and micro-bearings, using the AFM NT-206 and nano-hardness tester Hysitron, taking into account and applying newly recognized measurement techniques. 5. Application of novel methods proposed and designed by the researchers (mainly from HMTI institute) to determine a relative viscosity of oils and ferro-oils using an atomic force microscope NT-206 and the specially designed module - a tuning fork. 6. Experimental and theoretical verification of different models for nano-hardness test with the Hysitron, identification of changes in the loading force curves as a function of the sample surface deformation during loading and unloading, surface topography in nano-scale for different applications, e.g. topography of non-operated and operated pumping plunger section or needle spray, roughness distribution of contact surfaces, hardness changing function of shaft and the sleeve. 7. Application of new materials. As an example amorphous carbon based a-CH coatings have a great potential for various applications due to its high hardness, low frictional coefficient, chemical inertness, high wear and corrosion resistance. These properties also match well with the criteria of a good biomaterial for applications in orthopedic, cardiovascular and dentistry. Th eresearchers made different coatings.The coatings with amorphous carbon were formed on metal substrates (stainless steel AISI 316) in the form of disk. The deposition process was carried out by adding gas mixture in glow discharge plasma. Different samples with different paaremters (covering voltage, Ar pressure, C2H2 pressure and time of coating) have ben tested and the results including the structure, composition, mechanical and tribological properties of obtained coatings are presented in different internal meetings and seminars. 8. Investigation of the effect of compositional, structural and morphological properties of ZrN and ZrO2 films on mechanical and tribological characteristics of obtained ceramic coatings and ceramic Al2O3 materials with different content of ZrO2 additions for next tribological performance of ceramics and ceramic coatings on metal bearing devices. 9. 4 peer review papers has been worked out under ImBeing Project, which have been published in international highly indexed journals in the mentioned period. Moreover, 3 papers in the conference proceeding and 8 papers in university publications are published, so far. It should be underlined that majority of the publications prepared within ImBeing are worked out by join researcher groups from different participant institution of the project. It shows the high degree of integration and networking achieved under this project. Expected final results and their potential impact and use By realization of this project the involved research staff will be able to initiate a long term network for further research activities, especially inline to ERA priorities. IMBeing leads to: 1. Delivering of necessary data of exploitation parameters for slide micro bearings, which are used in mechanical engineering, power plants, rockets, electric locomotive automotive and in scope of nanotechnology and biomechanics, 2. Providing the necessary data of parameters for micro and bio bearing lubrication taking into account non stationary non- Newtonian and synovial fluid flow in probabilistic and stochastic description, 3. Producing the necessary data of computer aided optimization of a newly developed manufacturing processes of micro and bio bearings, 4. Increasing the scientific and research level of the seconded researches in the fields of active control of fluid flows and vibrations, as well as nanotechnology and multifunctional materials, 5. Establishing a well-experienced research team with high level of competence for better competitiveness, ready for further cooperation and mobility. ImBeing develops the research profile of all partners by improving the knowledge on laminar and turbulent lubrication phenomena for deformed slide bearing surfaces on exploitation problems. For example the turbulent flow in bearing gap for high-angular velocity of the journal or for very small radial clearance will be analysed. A turbulent ferromagnetic oil flow is applied in practical calculations of load carrying capacity of slide journal bearing occurring in power plants, rockets, electric locomotive and in precision engineering. Many advantages of ferromagnetic lubrication are concerned in an effect of bearing abrasive wear decreases, when ferro-oil and non –Newtonian oil is taking into account. The ferromagnetic lubrication prevents the cavitation problem which occurs during the turbulent oil flow. The non- isothermal oil with impurities for example combustion products, lead salts, dust and oil with various addition, as non-classical or non-Newtonian oil will be considered. Despite of the high level of the theoretical and experimental research in the field of journal bearing lubrication with non-Newtonian oils, hitherto the partner organisations had different problems with non isothermal, viscoelastic ferromagnetic and other non-Newtonian influences on bearing exploitation, which are not to nowadays exactly explained and solved. Till now, in hydrodynamic lubrication research field and through experimental tests mainly Reiner-Rivlin and Rivlin-Ericksen constitutive dependencies for non-Newtonian oil flow without magnetic fields have been confirmed. IMBeing will consider the magnetic field, too. Additionally, impact of IMBeing on increasing of research profile realises through extracting the new information on measured viscoelastic and ferromagnetic properties of purified oils and oils with soot. In the case of mechanical engineering such a knowledge is needed and present knowledge very often is not sufficient. Moreover, in the case of large electromagnetic fields and high temperature the considered transfer of knowledge provides the necessary knowledge and experimental information about magneto-thermo-elasticity deformations of journal bearing surfaces during its exploitation, especially for micro bearing applications. In addition to the previously mentioned research activities, the following research lines are considered for future joint research programmes and networking: 1. Novel design of bearings, by using a new material and new technologies, new methods of computer calculations during the design process. 2. New achievements field of a nanotechnologies, enabling EU industry and academia to solve the lubrication problems in “precision engineering”, specially in the case of magnetic bearing design and vacuummeter, helicopters and choppers, neutronradiation choppers, etc. 3. New achievements in biotechnology obtained to adjust the results for solving the lubrication problems in human joints. 4. Elaborating the necessary information and data needed for designing and production of a new human artificial endo-prosthesis and to give necessary information during the therapy of natural, pathological human hip and other joints. These facts are increasing the competitiveness of the European Research Area in the field of orthopaedics. The other impacts that are have to be considered here are: 5. Realization of IMBeing leads to establishing a strong research team in the field of tribology and biomechanics which enhances the research mobility of EU and creates the base of European cooperation for EU organization. 6. Poland is almost a new Member State and Koszalin, Gdynia and Gdansk are situated in Less Favoured Regions of the Member States. This shows the priority of the proposal and its importance when integrating the European research capacity under ERA is considered. 7. European partners of ImBeing have a wide cooperation with their national industry, particularly manufacturers of different bearings, which are almost SME. The results of the project will be disseminated to improve the knowledge base of related industrial parties which in this case are SME. 8. The scientific staffs of EU partners, who take part in this proposal include young researches. Majority of them are working on their DSc (professorial) or PhD thesis. This increases the research ability and capacity of EU, addressed by ERA.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union