Registration Open for February's Webinar on Condition Monitoring

The latest Webinar in the Industry Insight series will address Data Interpretation in Condition Monitoring. The Webinar is set for Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. Central. This special presentation will last for 90 minutes, with 30 minutes of that time devoted to Q&A. With this event, STLE is introducing a new feature: a bonus Q&A session. This extended Q&A will last from 1:30-2:00 p.m. and will be available for those who wish to stay on the line. For those who have other commitments, the recording will capture the additional information and will be available for their review post-event.

The presentation will be given by Evan Zabawski, Education & Training Manager at Fluid Life. Evan is a Fourth Class Power Engineer with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He has been an STLE member for over 10 years, he is the Chair of the STLE-Alberta Section, an instructor for STLE's Annual Meeting Education Course on Condition Monitoring, and Editor of TLT Magazine.

This Webinar presentation will bring clarity and understanding to evaluating and interpreting oil analysis data into meaningful information directly related to the condition of the operating equipment. It examines many of the various fluid testing procedures, including a brief look at the purpose and limitations of each tests, to help provide better value from used oil analysis.

View the flyer for more information, or click here to register for the event. The registration deadline is set for Monday, February 14, 2011. There is limited space available. In order to ensure your participation, please register before this date. For full participation in the Webinar, you will receive 1.5 Education Credits (ECs) which may be used towards recertification. For details, please contact us at university@stle.org.

Biobased Lubricants with Dr. Joseph Perez

In the second installment of our interview with Dr. Joseph Perez, we discuss bio-based lubricants. Bio-based lubricants are defined as lubricants that are formulated with renewable and biodegradable base stocks. Dr. Perez covers the advantages, potential detractors, the competition with petroleum-based products, and the challenges faced when researching and working with bio-based lubricants.

This podcast is part of a series designed to give you more information about a given topic while also providing information about our upcoming education courses offered at the 2011 STLE Annual Meeting. You can listen to expert interviews and preview education courses at the same time. To listen to this episode, click the "play" button on the slider bar above, download this week's episode, or read the transcript. You can get more information on bio-based lubricants, explore more about the Annual Meeting and see what other courses are offered on our website.

You can read more about the topic by checking out the following articles: Eco-Friendly Fluids for the Lubricants Industry, Biobased Lubricants: Gearing up for a Green World, Everything Old is New Again, and Planting Hope. These are all articles that can be found in previous issues of TLT, Tribology & Lubrication Technology, STLE's monthly member magazine. Click here to view the digital version of this month's issue, or click here to get your own subscription.

The Future of Automotive Propulsion Webinar: There's Still Time to Register!

You can still sign up to participate in tomorrow's Webinar, but this is your last chance to sign up to attend the event. Be there tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. CST, where you can ask the questions you've been dying to ask and get real answers! You will get access to the live event, the recording, and additional reading materials that may interest you. It may also count for 1.0 Education Credits (ECs), which can be applied to the recertification process. If you have any questions, please contact us at klemar@stle.org. Visit our website or view the flyer for more information about this exclusive live Webinar event.

January Webinar: The Future of Automotive Propulsion

A large number of people own or drive some kind of vehicle, and everyone would like to get the most that they can out of their investment. This includes the cost of getting to your destination. With the rising price of gas, and the worldwide demand for automotive transportation remaining strong, this is a very significant issue.

STLE's first Webinar of the new year will address this topic, referred to as automotive propulsion. The presentation will cover new fuel-saving technologies such as variable valve actuation, cylinder deactivation, additional forward-speed transmissions, and hybrid powertrains. In addition, vehicles that run on alternative fuels are commercially available, and will be discussed.

The presentation will be given by Dr. Edward P. Becker, a Technical Specialist who works in the Powertrain Division at General Motors. He has more than 30 years of experience, and will be sharing his insight and expertise with us in this presentation. The presentation will last for 60 minutes, with ample time for Q&A.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. CST. To register, please see the flyer for details. To participate, you will need computer speakers or headphones. Attendance costs $39 for STLE members and $59 for non-members. To register, you will need to sign up on our website if you do not have a Member ID (signing up is free). The registration deadline is TODAY to guarantee your seat in the event. After today, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to participate, as we have a limited number of people that can be in the event at one time. Make sure to view the flyer for all pertinent information about the event. You can also check out our website for more. Full participation in the webinar will be worth 1.0 Education Credits (STLE ECs) which may be used toward recertification. If you have any questions, please call (847) 825-5536 or email us at university@stle.org.

Biobased Fuels with Dr. Joseph Perez

This podcast marks the beginning of a series that is designed to shed some light on the 2011 Annual Meeting and the education courses offered. In this series, we talk to course instructors and get a feel for the topics covered in their courses.

Get your personal preview now by downloading the first episode. To listen, simply click the "play" button on the slider bar above, download the file to your computer, or read the transcript.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Joseph Perez, Senior Research Scientist at Penn State. Dr. Perez is the Chair of the Biofuels and Biolubricants course at the 2011 Annual Meeting. This podcast will look at bio-based fuels, with the second episode on bio-based lubricants to be released at the end of this month.

Biofuels are defined as a wide range of fuels that serve as alternatives to petroleum fuels. They are in some way derived from biomass. The term biofuel covers a wide variety of projects involving the conversion of natural resources to fuels.

Dr. Perez works with biofuels on a daily basis. He leads an initiative at Penn State to make the university "green." The program, conducted by Dr. Perez and the Chemical Engineering Department's Tribology Group, involves overseeing and studying the use of biobased lubricants and biofuels in the university's farm equipment, elevators and campus vehicles. He is also currently involved in a range of biofuel studies that look at improving low temperature characteristics and oxidation stability of biodiesel. Dr. Perez will be teaching a part of the course, and will be accompanied by other individuals who work or conduct research in this field. You can get more information on biofuels, the 2011 Annual Meeting, and the AM education course line up by visiting our website.

Space Tribology with Brandon Krick

As you may have guessed, space tribology is the application of tribology and lubrication principles in the space environment. The field addresses the reliable performance of machines in space, including satellites, spacecraft, and even the International Space Station (ISS). These instruments and structures require lubrication and it is a challenge to create lubricants that can handle this extreme environment.

Brandon Krick, a Ph.D. student who attends and works at the Tribology Lab at the University of Florida discusses space tribology and MISSE7, or the Materials on the International Space Station Experiments, 7th Mission. He was involved in the development and implementation of the MISSE7 and will handle the analysis of the experiments upon conclusion. He is shown here with one of the tribometers.

This experiment is being conducted with NASA's help, and addresses the use of solid lubricants in low earth orbit. The experiment is a test bed for materials and coatings attached to the outside of the ISS being evaluated for the effects of the space environment. The results of this experiment will provide a better understanding of the durability of various materials, thus providing information for applications in the design of future spacecraft. For more on the experiment and space tribology, you can download this week's episode, read the transcript, or listen directly from the slider bar above.

For more information on space tribology, MISSE7, Brandon, or his graduate advisor, Dr. Gregory Sawyer, you can visit our website, the University of Florida's Tribology Laboratory website, or NASA's page on MISSE7. You can also read the TLT article, "History's Ultimate Lube Job."

What is "Green"? with Dr. Neil Canter

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Neil Canter, who runs his own consulting company, Chemical Solutions. Dr. Canter discusses his feature article in the latest issue of Tribology & Lubrication Technology.

There has been a struggle to define the words "green" and "sustainable" and there is no commonly agreed upon definition. Dr. Canter presents a definition and his argument for that definition. Instead of looking at a lubricant at the cradle and the grave, he argues for a look at the application and use of a lubricant, and labeling a lubricant "green" by what happens in process.

Find out more by clicking play on the slider bar, by downloading the episode, or by reading the transcript. Make sure you read the article, "What is 'Green?'" in this month's TLT magazine, which is available both in print and online. Peruse the digital version of TLT, which contains other articles and perspectives on what it means to be "green." You can visit our website for more news and information on the subject.

You can also learn more about the subject by attending the 2011 STLE Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Canter is the Vice Chair of a full-day education course discussing bio-based lubricants and bio-based fuels. You can view the course synopsis for more information on the topics and format of the course on our webiste.

Tribology of the Joints with Dr. Ian Clarke

In this episode, Dr. Ian Clarke, Co-Director of the DARF Center, discusses the wear involved with hip and knee joint replacements, and his current work conducting wear analysis of metal-on-metal ("MOM") bearing implants that have failed in patients. His goal is to determine why this small percentage of implants have failed. Despite some issues with these "MOM" bearings, Dr. Clarke argues that the vast majority of implants are successful and result in improved quality of life.

As he gets to see and test implants from ten to fifteen years ago, this gives him an insight into what implants were designed and created then, the materials and composition being used, what works and what does not work. He is also testing implants that may be used in the future to ensure they have the longest life span. To the right, you can see the machine used to conduct wear analysis of a potential hip implant.

Dr. Clarke's unique point of view provides the most benefit to all those involved in the design of joint replacement technology - most important of all, the patient.

Essentially, this technology is one that provides a way to improve a patient's life, and is being refined through these types of studies to ensure the replacement is a successful and beneficial one for the patient.

You can download the episode, read the transcript, or just click play on the slider bar above. You can read more about the tribology of joint replacements by reading this article, or you can visit our website for more news and information on biotribology. You can also attend the 2011 STLE Annual Meeting, which has a biotribology technical track.

The Unveiling of the STLE University

STLE University will be released next Wednesday, November 17, 2010. Considering your interest in the STLE Compass, you may be interested in STLE University.


So, what is STLE University? STLE U is your personalized, centralized location for continuing education in the field of tribology and lubrication engineering. We provide you with the latest education and information in the field, while providing opportunities for you to enhance your career that do not interfere with your daily life. Our education opportunities include our traditional in-person education courses as well as our all-new online education courses.

STLE University is Education Your Way: Focused. Flexible. Accessible.

• FOCUSED: We offer a variety of courses that are designed for differing audiences. The courses vary based on content and topical area, basic to advanced levels, and audience segment encompassing the wide array of industrial segments, ensuring there is something for everyone.
• FLEXIBLE: Courses are both in-person and online and are designed to fit around your schedule. If you need a short, introductory course or an in-depth course, chances are STLE has something to fit your needs. The variety of courses matches up with your available time commitment.
• ACCESSIBLE: Both online and in-person courses are formatted to ensure you can attend something we offer. Our in-person education course locations change yearly, and our online options allow you to purchase a course at any time and start it immediately. Also, everyone is welcome! You do not need to be a member to attend our courses, however, members enjoy a significant discount.

STLE University: for all the ways you learn. Visit our website for more information. Classes are available starting November 17!

Nanotribology and MEMS: There's Still Plenty of Room at the Bottom with Dr. Michael Dugger

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Michael Dugger, Distinguished Technical Staff Member at Sandia National Laboratories. Dr. Dugger discusses nanotribology and MEMS (micro-electrical-mechanical systems). MEMS are small mechanical devices that are driven by, or have as their output, electrical signals.

According to Dr. Dugger, nanotribology is "the study of interactions of small collections of atoms involving relative motion between one group of atoms and another." Nanotribology is a key component of nanotechnology and its development. According to an article in TLT from January 2009, "a dozen nano products are commercially introduced each month-and lubrication issues are at the heart of nearly all of them." Lubrication at the nano scale is fundamentally different and requires a different approach because what works on the normal scale, may not work in an application at the nano scale.

Dr. Dugger is one of many working and researching in this area, attempting to discover what lubrication methods work best and how to apply this research to the use of MEMS. Here, you can see the scale of a typical friction device that is used at Sandia.

Click here to download the episode, listen to it in the slider bar above, or read the transcript. For more on Dr. Dugger, his research, and Sandia National Laboratories, read TLT's 20 Minutes article, or visit the STLE website. You can stay updated on recent innovations in nanotribology by attending the 2011 STLE Annual Meeting, which will have a nanotribology technical track.