Precise Molecular Design of Organic Friction Modifiers by Large-Scale Molecular Simulations, Advanced Measurements, and Chemical Syntheses

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H01238
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 18040:Machine elements and tribology-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Zhang Hedong 名古屋大学, 情報学研究科, 教授 (80345925)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 安田 耕二 名古屋大学, 未来材料・システム研究所, 准教授 (70293686) ; 塚本 眞幸 名古屋大学, 情報学研究科, 講師 (10362295)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: トライボロジー / 境界潤滑 / 分子シミュレーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aiming to establish systematic molecular design guidelines for organic friction modifiers (OFMs), we advanced our research through the collaboration of large-scale molecular simulations, advanced measurements, and chemical synthesis. Specifically, we established large-scale molecular simulation methods and measurement techniques that can verify and complement the simulation results. Additionally, we designed and synthesized new OFM molecules. Based on these foundations, we tackled the hierarchical correlation between the nano- to macro-scale characteristics of lubrication systems containing OFMs with different molecular structures. These characteristics included the nano-scale characteristics of OFM molecules, the micro-scale characteristics of OFM adsorption films, and the macro-scale friction and wear properties of the system.

Free Research Field

トライボロジー

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は，2019年度戦略目標および研究開発目標「ナノスケール動的挙動の理解に基づく力学特性発現機構の解明」に合致している．トライボロジー分野の学術発展や，自動車などに適用可能な摩擦損失を軽減する高度な潤滑技術の確立に寄与することが期待される．摩擦損失の18～40%の低減は，世界エネルギー使用量の8.7%の削減につながり，本研究により省エネ・低炭素社会の実現への寄与が見込まれる．