The Tribology and Materials Group undertakes research, consulting and development across all areas of tribology and materials, but with special emphasis on three areas:
- Protection of the environment
- New and advanced materials
- Maintenance of assets
The group has advanced materials processing and fabrication facilities, with particular capabilities in surface engineering and surface coating technologies, and a wide range of materials testing and tribotesting facilities.
The group works closely with industry in the development of applied research projects of benefit to a wide community. Two current examples of particular community relevance are the Fuchs Millenium Project, which is studying ways of reducing marine pollution from two-stroke engines, and an ARC-funded project with Sustainable Technologies International to improve the efficiency of dye-sensitised solar cells.
The group also carries out basic research on developing improved biomaterials, wear resistant coatings, and materials failure mechanisms. The group has one of the only fully equipped tribology laboratories in Australia, and has ion implantation facilities for surface modification studies.
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