Tribology of the Heart with Dr. Said Jahanmir

This episode takes another look at biotribology, focusing on the heart. In the interview we talk with Dr. Said Jahanmir, President and CEO of MiTiHeart Corporation. Dr. Jahanmir has specialized in this area of research, which focuses on patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF refers to a situation where a patient's heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, and it affects 4.5 million people annually. This population sometimes requires medical intervention, and a blood pump is one source of that assistance.

Tribology is a necessary requirement when designing, creating, and implanting devices that assist the heart. If these issues are not considered, the pump could have adverse effects on the blood, tissues and the heart.

One type of blood pump, called an LVAD or left ventricular assist device, is in development at MiTiHeart. Dr. Jahanmir addresses the design, testing and impact that this LVAD will have. In the picture, you can see the relative size and shape of the LVAD.

If you'd like to hear more, you can download the podcast, subscribe to get future episodes, or view the transcript. You can also continue the conversation by reading Dr. Jahanmir's article in TLT. The STLE website has many resources that you can use to find more information, including more on the biotribology technical tracks at both the International Joint Tribology Conference and the upcoming 2011 STLE Annual Meeting, as well as information on Dr. Jahanmir and his work at MiTiHeart.

Metalworking Fluid Management with Dr. Donald Smolenski

In this interview, we talk with Dr. Donald Smolenski, Technical Fellow in Research & Development at General Motors. He has extensive experience in this field, including the development of industrial lubricant specifications, best fluid management practices, and recycling and disposal of oily water and used oil. We welcome that experience in our discussion of metalworking fluid management in this podcast. The episode delves into the field and addresses metal removal fluids including selection, in-use management, recycling and disposal of these fluids.

Click here to download the podcast, or click on the slider bar above to play it from this screen. You can also subscribe to get future podcasts delivered automatically. If you would like to translate the content or cannot hear the audio, you can view the transcript.

STLE's website has many resources on this topic, including more information on metalworking fluid management and metal removal fluids. Included for your reference is an article written by STLE's Director of Professional Development, Dr. Robert Gresham, who discusses this topic and recaps the last occurence of the Metalworking Fluid Management Certificate Course. You can also view the extended abstract from Dr. Smolenski's presentation at last year's Annual Meeting on "Cradle to Grave Management of Metal Removal Fluids."

Here and at our website, you can find information about the Metalworking Fluid Management Certificate Course, scheduled for November 2-4, 2010. The course will be held at the Engineering Society of Detroit's facility in Southfield, Michigan. You can see the flyer for more details and you can view the agenda for information on the timeline. Register today to get updated and in-depth information straight from the experts.

Release Schedule

Good news!

Starting this month, The STLE Compass will be released every second and fourth Tuesday of each month. You can now expect to see new episodes consistently, as we have more and more topics and interviewees.

We are very excited to provide you with new information on the subjects those in the field are researching and working on, and in the process, provide exposure to a variety and range of fields. Even if you aren't directly involved with a given field, you will be able to learn what other tribologists and lubrication engineers are working on, demonstrating the truly interdisciplinary nature of the field.

You can visit our website every second and fourth Tuesday, or you can subscribe to the blog to get each new release automatically.

Tribology in Biology with Alison Dunn

Biotribology as a field has been defined as the study of friction, lubrication and wear in biological systems. In this field, there has been significant focus on joints, including the hip, with a large amount of research devoted to hip replacements. Biotribology as a field is more expansive and looks at any biological application, including structures like the heart and the eye. Today’s podcast addresses the field in general and ocular tribology specifically.

In the interview, we talk with Alison Dunn, a PhD candidate at the University of Florida, who has specialized in this area of research. Listen to find out more. You can subscribe to the Official STLE Podcast to get future podcasts automatically. If you'd like to read the interview, take a look at the transcript.

STLE’s website has many resources that you can search to find more information, including more on the 2010 International Joint Tribology Conference as well as information on Alison Dunn and Dr. Sawyer, their work, and Dr. Sawyer’s abstract for his IJTC keynote address. You can also visit the University of Florida’s Tribology Laboratory website for more information about their work and research. TLT, STLE's monthly member magazine, also has an article addressing biotribology, as well as an article that addresses this work specifically.

The Future of Wind Energy with Dr. Robert Gresham

The topic for the podcast is wind energy, a growing field that needs input and research from tribologists and lubrication engineers. We talk to Dr. Robert Gresham about the topic. Dr. Gresham is the Director of Professional Development at STLE and is responsible for the education and certification programs there. He has organized and attended many technical sessions and written many articles on the subject of wind energy. In the podcast, he discusses the most important issues facing the field today, recent developments, what industry professionals are talking about and what they should be talking about.

His conclusion? Listen to find out.

STLE’s website, has many resources that you can search to find more information, including Dr. Gresham’s articles. The newest article on this topic was published in May, in STLE's monthly member magazine, Tribology Lubrication & Technology, and was titled, "Wind in the Willows." To view the latest articles, you can click on the link in the right hand panel, which will take you to the current digital issue of TLT.

Interested in more? Subscribe to the Official STLE Podcast to get future podcasts automatically or read the transcription.

Future Podcasts

The STLE Compass is searching for thoughts or ideas for future podcast topics. What topics do you want to listen to? What would you like to learn more about?

Tell us! We want to bring you the most up-to-date information that is relevant to you. If you have an idea for a topic you'd like us to cover, please send us an email at klemar@stle.org, call us at (847) 825-5536 or easiest of all, you can leave a comment below.

Subscription Made Easy

There are a number of ways that you can listen to the podcast and stay updated with The STLE Compass.

First, you can save the podcast to your desktop. You will start by right clicking on the link "Listen." Hit "Save Target As" and save it to the desired location on your computer. You can then listen with any media program you have on your computer.

Second, you have the option to subscribe to the podcast through an RSS feed. This option provides you with updates every time a new podcast is uploaded. Subscribing to the podcast ensures that each new episode is automatically delivered to your computer. If you already have a reader, you just need to find the link to your reader and click on it. Look to the top right hand corner of the website, where it says "Subscribe To This Blog." Under that title, there are two drop-down boxes. One is to subscribe to the posts, and the other is to subscribe to comments. If your reader is not listed, you should go to the link at the bottom of the page that says "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)." You can then search for your provider.

If you do not have a reader, it still only takes three easy steps.

Step One: Find a feed reader that suits you. There are many different programs you can use including iTunes, FeedReader, and NewsGator (which integrates with Outlook). These are all available for free download. There are also web-based feed reader programs that you can use including Google Reader and My Yahoo. Of course, there are many more options and if you already have a feed reader, you are that much closer to our podcast.

Step Two: Once you have a reader, you are ready to subscribe to our podcast. At the bottom of the page, you will see text that says "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)." Click on this link and a new window will open that will present you with different feed readers you can subscribe through. Also on this screen, you will find more in depth information on RSS feeds and feed readers.

Step Three: Find your provider's link (also called a chicklett) and click on it. There are different ways to subscribe since the readers are different, so you should follow the instructions for your reader.

If you have any issues or need assistance in signing up or accessing the podcast, feel free to contact us by email or phone. Contact information is available on our homepage. Also, please bear in mind if you have difficulties accessing the podcast, it may be due to security settings on your computer.

The First Blog Posting on the Official STLE Blog

WELCOME!!!

This is the first blog posting from the experts at The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers.

Please keep in touch and check back soon for our upcoming, original podcast.