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In 1966, good practice in tribology was identified as a means to reduce economic losses related to maintenance in industry due to wear and subsequent failure. Later, in the early 1980’s, the price of oil rose steeply and since good practice in tribology could be used to reduce energy consumption by reducing friction, it was also recognised as a means to increase the efficiency of machines. Since then, good practice in tribology has also been seen as a vital tool to reduce the use of raw materials, lowering the environmental footprint of engineered systems and make a contribution to sustainable engineering.


近年来,“积极摩擦学”的概念, also known as “tribotronics”, has developed. In tribotronics, components, such as bearings and gears, can incorporate sensors, intelligence and actuators to truly optimise their performance while in service, stepping beyond the conventional situation in which such components are passive devices. This paper will explore this concept and present some recent research in the area to examine how such components may contribute further to sustainable engineering.

Prof Sherrington’s is an expert in the measurement/prediction of friction, wear and lubricating film thickness in machine components. His current research focuses on the development of active machine elements, a subject called “tribotronics”. Traditionally, mechanical elements such as bearings, seals & gears, are passive, tribotronics is a novel concept where sensors and actuators are employed in components or systems to dynamically modify the performance of machine elements whilst they are in operation. The use of tribotronics turns a component into an intelligent device that monitors and controls itself to enhance its own health/life and performance.

Prof Sherrington has led over 80 research/commercial projects and has published widely. In 2016 he was selected, along with nine other tribologists from across the world, to be presented to HRH Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace as part of the 50th Anniversary of Tribology. He is a winner of the prestigious Donald Julius Groen Prize, and in 2018 he became the world’s first Professor of Tribotronics at KTH, Stockholm.

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