Over 35% of all engine friction comes from the interface of the piston ring against the cylinder wall, and those piston rings experience all three stages of lubrication - Boundary, Mixed, and Hydrodynamic - in each engine cycle. As such, the tribology of the piston ring and cylinder wall interface provides an area to improve internal combustion engine efficiency.
Why does that matter in a world with a commitment to fully electric vehicles? Is there a role for internal combustion engines in the future? If so, how can we apply Tribology to the piston ring and cylinder wall contact to enable a more sustainable future? This course will answer these questions and hopefully a few of your questions as well.