Particle Flow and Tribology Lab

Welcome to the Particle Flow and Tribology Laboratory (PFTL) located in the mechanical engineering department at Carnegie Mellon University. This laboratory was created by Prof. C. Fred Higgs III , for the purpose of studying discrete particles (e.g., nanoparticles, slurries, powders, granules, sand, etc.) and their ability to lubricate, wear, or induce friction when sheared between sliding surfaces.

The laboratory is the home to postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate researchers at Carnegie Mellon who are studying multidisciplinary problems in semiconductor processing, data storage, biomedical engineering, oil-free lubrication, green tribology, nano-characterization, and nanomanufacturing.

Students who graduate from the PFTL will have exposure to experimental and numerical research related to innovative and practical particulate flow applications. Some of these applications include powder lubrication, granular flows, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), osteolysis prevention, particle augmented mixed lubrication (PAML), magnetic storage device fabrication. We also conduct discrete and continuum based modeling at multiple length scales. For example, we have a project that is employing rule-based mathematics to develop a lattice-based approach for modeling of natural and artificial systems, namely granular lubricated bearings.

For more information or to visit the PFTL, please see:

Prof. C. Fred Higgs III
Mechanical Engineering Department
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA. 15213-3890
Ph. 412.268.2486
Fax: 412.268.3348