Tribology Laboratory was established by Prof. Liu Zhong-Hua in early 1980's, based on the tribological research on the railway system. In 1997, Tribology Research Institute (TRI) was subsequently established. Up to now, TRI has been set up as a part of the National Traction Power Laboratory and the Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education and contributes to the development of the national-level key discipline - Mechanical Engineering of Southwest Jiaotong University.
The research in TRI is multi-disciplinary with research backgrounds covering the mechanical engineering, materials science, mechanics, chemistry and etc, There are 24 academic staff, including 5 specially-appointed or chair professors of the Cheung Kong Scholars of Ministry of Education, 4 winners of National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars, 3 experts from the One Thousand Talents Scheme, 1 High-Level Specialist of the State Foreign Experts Bureau, 2 awardees of the National Science Foundation for Excellent Young Scholars. 5 winners of the Trans-Century Training Program Foundation for the Talents by Ministry of Education; 1 Innovative Research Group of National Natural Science Foundation, 1 Innovation Team recognized by Ministry of Education and 1 Innovation Team recognized by Sichuan province. There are about 200 full-time post-doctoral, Ph. D. and Master students.
The current research fields of TRI mainly include the fretting wear, fretting fatigue and protective design, bio-tribology, medical devices and instruments, and bionic design, nanotribology and micro/nano manufacturing, wheel/rail tribology and design, friction vibration, noise analysis and control, service behavior of key parts in aerospace, high-speed rail, and nuclear power plant, computational contact mechanics. signal-molecule mechanics etc. In recent years, the Institute has successfully carried out many research projects granted by government or supported by enterprises, including the Innovative Research Group, the Key ind Major Program. Scientific Instrument Program of National Natural Science Foundation; Key Research and Development Plan, the National Basic Research Program (973), the National High-Tech Research and Development Program (863) of Ministry of Science and Technology; science and technology program of the Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province; the cooperation with international laboratories and companies. The research achievements have contributed greatly to the developments of science, technology and economy at national and international levels. which has established TRI as an important national research and education center of tribology.
Main achievements
Scientific research: Tribology Research Institute (TRI) has been granted one Second class prize of State Natural Science Award, two First Class Prizes of State Ministry of Education Natural Science Award, one Second Class Prize of State Ministry of Education Natural Science Award, one SNECMA Technology Award of The France Aerospace Group Company (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques etSpatiales). More than 300 journal papers have been published in international peer-reviewed journals. More than 10 academic monographs or compiled writings have been published. More than 30 invited lectures have been presented at important international academic conferences. More than 30 National Invention Patents have been obtained. The research achievements have provided significant theoretical basis and core technology for the extension of the service life and the development of the important components of rail transit. nuclear power, aviation, medical apparatus and instruments and so on, at the same time produced important social and economic benefits.
Education teaching and personnel training: Tribology Research Institute (TRI) has been granted two First Class Prizes of National Teaching Achievement, three First Class Prizes of Sichuan Province Teaching Achievement. One National High-quality Video Course was given. TRI has trained more than 100 Ph. D and MSs students, including two postdoctoral research felłows. Four Ph. D theses have been awarded Provincial Excellent Doctoral Dissertation or Nomination Dissertation. One postdoctoral research fellow won the Sichuan Province outstanding postdoctoral award.
Domestic and foreign cooperation and exchanges: The international academic journal 'Biosurface and Biotribology', co-founded by Elsevier and Tribology Research Institute (TRI), has been selected into the China Science and Technology Journal International Influence Promotion Plan. Members of TRI have served as domestic and foreign academic journal editors and the international academic conference organizing committee members for many times; Tribology Research Institute (TRI) has organized Important domestic and foreign academic meetings for more than 10 times; There are also close personnel exchanges and substantial scientific research cooperation among Tribology Research Institute (TRI) and many well-known research institutions in the United States, France, Britain and other countries.
