Modified Ionic Liquid-Based High-Performance Lubricants for Robotic Operations, Phase II

In collaboration with its industrial partners, ISL will continue to develop IonoGlide lubricants for NASA-specific applications ranging from Mars rovers to use in robotic arms for extravehicular missions. A potential operational limitation of remote robotic systems is lubrication failure at low temperature. IonoGlide lubricants promise continuing mission-critical performance in the harsh Martian environment. Preliminary results of ISL's lubrication technology indicate potential for dependable and prolonged performance in such extreme environments. According to a March 2010 Freedonia Focus report, synthetic lubricants and functional fluid demand in the United States is expected to be $4.8 billion by 2013 and grow by 3.2% per year. Synthetic engine oil is seen as a $2.6 billion market by 2013 with annual gains of 7.3% since 2008. The need for higher-performing engine oils drives this market. For the vehicle and equipment market, synthetic engine oils along with hydraulic and transmission fluids will drive an expected $4 billion in demand by 2013. According to the same report, the market for heat transfer fluids increased 6.8% between 2003 and 2008 to a value of $1.3 billion. This is the niche within which NASA applications fall. Heat transfer fluids are used in antifreeze, energy production, asphalt, laun¬ødry, biotechnology, metalworking, mining, process manufacturing, and refrigeration and heating systems. In the commercial arena, variants of IonoGlide will find uses in aerospace, automotive, electronics, energy, synthesis, engineering fluids, and marine sectors. More »