Researchers taking nanotech one step further
LUBRICANTS are key for engines and machines to perform efficiently and these are crucial to people’s daily lives. Lubricants help mitigate friction and overheating which causes energy losses and damage.
Professor Mohammad Khalid and Dr Abdul Khaliq Rasheed of the Graphene and Advanced 2D Materials Research Group (GAMRG) at Sunway University have discovered and produced the technology to improve automotive and industrial lubricants. Both scientists developed the graphene nanolubricant containing millions of the world’s thinnest, strongest, lightest, hardest and most conducting nanosheets.
“Wear of engines and machinery continues to be a global concern costing billions annually. Traditional lubricants which use chemical additives have reached the threshold limit interms of efficiency.
“To meet the modern engineering lubrication challenges which primarily deal with nanoscale-friction and thermal performance, we took up nanomaterials to find a solution.
“Having successfully exploited metallic, metal oxides, graphene and other twodimensional materials for heat transfer applications since 2007, our current focus is on heat transfer fluids which include nanolubricants,” said Mohammad.
This year, they aim to commercialise their graphene-based nanolubricant Infinoil which can reduce friction and wear, improving
Infinoil is advanced technology at an affordable price.
ABDUL KHALIQ RASHEED Research fellow at GAMRG, Sunway University
engine efficiency in automotive and industrial applications. Graphene, derived from a natural source is a single, one atom thick layer of carbon atoms. According to Mohammad, the possibility to extract out an atomic sheet is only made possible in the last decade.
Infinoil nanolubricants reduce wear and remove heat from the engine and machine components through a culmination of several mechanisms at nano-scale. Last year in November, Infinoil was tested at the F1 circuit in Sepang, Malaysia. The vehicle it was tested on ran in a 24-hour race, displaying outstanding endurance. Infinoil was found to resist degradation better than other lubricants used during the race.
“Racing requires high performance lubricants that can resist extreme conditions. When we explained the technology of our product, the team was excited to test the same in pre-race trials and based on the excellent performance during trials, the team decided to go with our product for the actual race,” explained Abdul Khaliq.
Muhammad Danial Halim, team manager of MRF D Garage, said: “The engine nanolubricant outperformed our competitors’ as we didn’t have to top-up the engine oil during the 24hour run while some racers had to top-up their engine oil two to three times. Our engine’s oil pressure, as well as its temperature, was maintained.”
Infinoil, according to Abdul Khaliq, “is advanced technology at an affordable price”. The nanolubricant — Malaysia’s first graphene technology meets American Petroleum Institute, Society of Automotive Engineers and American Society for Testing and Materials standards. The advantages of the nanolubricant include lower wear and friction; higher heat transfer capacity; and lower oil volatility which will ultimately result in lower fuel consumption.
Mohammad, who is also GAMRG head, has more than 12 years of experience while Abdul Khaliq, a research fellow, has more than 10 years of experience in nanotechnology. The group’s main research activities are to develop graphene and 2D materials technologies, and apply them in different heat transfer applications (such as lubricants, coolants and composites).
“In addition to research, we offer consultancy to those in the automotive
industry and our activities contribute to the National Graphene Action Plan 2020,” addedd Mohammad.
At the moment the two are focusing on automotive engine lubrication, aiming to introduce nanolubricants to the power, manufacturing and construction industry.
“We are also exploring nanolubricant solutions for locomotive, marine, and aerospace industries,” added Abdul Khalid.
“We see nanolubricants playing a huge role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” The duo also tested Infinoil at third party certified labs, 1000cc, 1800cc and fourstroke single cylinder engines used in motorbikes.
GAMRG is part of the Research Centre of Nano-materials and Energy Technology under the School of Science and Technology at Sunway University.