Nano and Macroscale Tribological Investigation of MoS2 and MoST

Since the beginning of space exploration is has become apparent that lubrication between surfaces in space would face many challenges that aren’t relevant on earth. Friction and wear testing on earth has been developed in turn to emulate the conditions that would be faced by solid lubricants in outer space. This requires specific contact geometries and forces, as well as control of environmental conditions including chemistry, pressure, humidity, and temperature. While studies performed in Toronto will allow for nanoscale tribology tests, access to the highly atmosphere-controlled mechanism-scale Tribowave tribometer in Lyon would allow for the currently uninvestigated comparison between the nanoscale evolution of a lubricant and the macroscale effects of an application driven contact. Furthermore, video and chemical analysis of the sample during the tribological contact during testing is a capability unique to the Tribowave tribometer in Lyon. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Tobin Filleter

Student:

Partner:

Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Globalink Research Award