Nov 21 2012
NanoMech Inc. has been selected for an award from the Department of Energy (DoE) to develop a nano-manufactured drop-in lubricant technology to dramatically reduce friction in engine components, in order to help save billions of dollars annually in fuel and maintenance costs.
Test results from simultaneous and identical tests on machine cam. Image on the right is the result of the addition of 5% NanoMech nGlide. (Graphic: Business Wire)
Over 450 companies competed through DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, an initiative that aims to help small businesses to commercialize technological innovations.
Friction is one of the major reasons for failure of vital engineering components and systems used in aerospace, military, and industrial applications. The annual cost of friction and wear-related energy and material losses is estimated to be over $700 billion — 5% to 7% of the United States’ $14 trillion gross national product.
NanoMech’s proposed effort in the Phase-I is to lab and field test advanced proprietary nanolubricants designed to improve the energy efficiency of engines, thereby significantly reducing consumption of imported fuel, and potentially saving billions of dollars.
NanoMech has devised a proprietary bio-inspired nano-engineered solution using a revolutionary design process architecting multicomponent chemistries at molecular scale to deliver advanced lubrication under virtually all operating conditions including extreme situations.
The nGlide® additive technology innovation, in field tests for another application sector, has shown unprecedented improvements in performance of grease lubricants by as much as 1000% that can also safely extend the life of the Earth’s hydrocarbon supply chain while making machines operate much better and longer.
Mr. Neil Canter, the Editor of Tribology and Lubrication Technology Magazine, said of NanoMech's advanced nGlide® technology, "their combination of solid lubricant nano-particles with environmentally friendly organic additives provides a unique set of properties that are not matched by any additive commercially available today.”
James M. Phillips, Chairman and CEO of NanoMech Inc., stated, “We appreciate the support of the Department of Energy in helping us advance the nGlide® technology platform to include motor oil. We are honored to receive this recognition and move forward our breakthrough technology, with unprecedented capability, which will increase machine and vehicle performance by enhancing durability, operability, and the life of components, while solving the global need to save fossil fuels.”
Dr. Malshe, CTO and founder of NanoMech, added, "we have conclusively proved we can dramatically enhance performance and life of all machines by reducing the coefficient of friction to near-zero including the ability to withstand extreme pressure (EP) under severe boundary lubrication with our new nGlide® grease innovation, and look forward to extending this scientific advancement now to motor oil which could ultimately decrease global fuel consumption and save U.S. consumers billions of dollars annually."