Environmentally friendly tribology (Eco-tribology)

The Earth is facing many serious environmental problems. The global warming problem has reached a point at which action cannot be delayed. It is necessary not only to expect novel technological development but also to create realistic solutions by extending conventional technologies. Tribology has supported various technological developments over the years and has also responded promptly to societal demands for decreasing substances from engineering products that would be hazardous to the environment. As societies aim to become sustainable, tribology needs to be involved and contribute to the solution more than ever before. Environmentally friendly tribology, eco-tribology, through progress in surface modification, is seen to be an effective engineering technology that can contribute very much to sustainable societies. Multi-scale surface texturing, which is a new concept of surface modification for tribo-materials, and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating technology were introduced as the expected future development.