Multicomponent Nanomanufactured Drop-in Lubricant Technology for Enhancing Engine Friction Reduction

The objective of this Phase I project is to demonstrate feasibility to design and develop novel nanomanufactured multicomponent lubricant additives applicable for engine, especially engineered as additive for enhancing engine economy with at least 3%. This economy will be enhanced through the power of nanosized multicomponent (multi-chemistry/macromolecular) lubricating agents launching into the intricate spaces between mating surfaces where they form a durable lubricating film that sustains high loads and reduces friction and wear (boundary lubrication regime). Completing this objective will involve systematic scientific investigation of the various complex chemical components that positively impact wear and friction behavior in engine environments and utilization of this knowledge to develop functional nanoparticle based additive compositions for lubricant systems. Based on attractive preliminary analysis at the University of Arkansas for investigating the effects of adding multi-chemistry nanolubricant into regular engine oil, 5.8% increase in power and a proportional increase of efficiency with the additive for single cylinder four stroke 6.5 HP gasoline engine, the project research team led by NanoMech will conduct Phase I feasibility scale laboratory-based tribological evaluation of nanolubricants. The analysis will be performed in order to study friction and wear characteristics using a table-top engine test-vehicle. Preliminary test data indicated a 20 30% reduction in the coefficient of friction (using fundamental ball- on-disk test configuration) when compared with a mineral base oil of similar viscosity as the baseline engine oil. In a separate study, wear test data indicated a 50% improvement in wear scar using industry specified test conditions (4 ball test, ASTM D 4172). Overall, in the Phase I, II, and III iteratively designed and optimized nanolubricant additive formulations will be evaluated using engine tests and field studies to demonstrate meeting engine performance efficiency (per DOE guideline), power gain, fuel economy, and environmental impact reduction. In Phase I, we intend to conduct key tests in cooperation with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL-DOE) and University of Arkansas. POTENTIAL partners and end users include Cummins, Wal-Mart, J.B. Hunt, and FedEx, and we plan to cement those relations in the Phase I of this project. The nanomanufacturing process for synthesizing these multi- component lubricants for engine application is scalable for commercial production and is a part of another major successful DOE funded Phase II effort, which is about to be completed.