Seung Min Yeo will present his research at the STLE 2012 Annual Meeting.
Seung Min Yeo, doctoral student in MechSE, recently received the Young Tribologist Conference Award from The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE).
“It means a lot to me, especially as I’m getting close to my PhD graduation this fall and at the same time wrapping up my five-year tribology research,” Yeo said.
Written by By Chad Garland
Seung Min Yeo will present his research at the STLE 2012 Annual Meeting.
Seung Min Yeo, doctoral student in MechSE, recently received the Young Tribologist Conference Award from The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE).
“It means a lot to me, especially as I’m getting close to my PhD graduation this fall and at the same time wrapping up my five-year tribology research,” Yeo said.
The award will support Yeo’s attendance at the STLE 2012 Annual Meeting & Exhibition in St. Louis, Mo., May 6-10. The annual meeting is the largest tribology conference in the country, showcasing around 400 technical presentations, case studies, best practice reports, and discussion panels to an estimated 1,500 attendees.
In making their selection, the members of the Young Tribologist Committee evaluated how actively Yeo is involved in tribology research, how clearly he understands and is able to communicate his research, and what contributions he has made to professional societies and the academic community.
A graduate research assistant in the Microtribodynamics and Tribology Lab, Yeo works with Professor Andreas Polycarpou researching friction adhesion, wear, and the lubrication of interacting surfaces from the nano- and micro-scale devices to macro-scale components, such as air conditioning and refrigeration compressors.
While completing his master’s degree, Yeo worked on a DARPA project analyzing the tribological qualities of radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) switches. When he transitioned to doctorate-level work, he began to study macro-scale tribology, which Yeo says may have helped grab the award committee’s attention because of its applications to industry.
Yeo said the main idea of this work is to improve the frictional and wear behavior of compressor components using advanced polymer coatings to achieve high efficiency and performance.
According to its website, STLE’s mission is “to advance the science of tribology and the practice of lubrication engineering in order to foster innovation, improve the performance of equipment and products, conserve resources and protect the environment.”
In connection with the award, Yeo will present his research work, titled “Micromechanical and Tribological Characterization of Polymeric-based Coatings,” to a Surface Engineering section at the conference to show how these coatings can be used to improve HVAC compressors’ tribological performance. He said he also hopes to network with industry professionals in preparation for his post-graduation plans.
Yeo said though he was happy to receive the award, it is more than recognition for his personal accomplishments.
“This award is not only for me but for my advisor, Professor Polycarpou, as well, who always gave me right direction and insight,” Yeo said.