Josh Armitage is a lecturer in surface engineering & tribology at the University of Leeds. His research is primarily focussed on the development & incorporation of advanced in-situ techniques for the assessment of interfacial physicochemical phenomena such as tribo-corrosion, tribo-chemistry, & tribo-electrostatics.

Josh currently leads research, teaching, & outreach activities in tribo-electrostatics & automotive tribology to address key challenges within the sustainable transport & energy sectors respectively, whilst leading additional research activities in Geo-Tribology & Sporting Interfaces.

Abstract: 
An In-situ Approach to Tribo-chemistry & Tribo-electrostatics

There is no question that tribology has historically played a pivotal role in the development of sustainable transport & energy solutions. The significant technological advancements & resulting widespread adoption of electric traction systems has however shifted the landscape upon which tribological research into transport systems is conducted. The global drive for sustainable energy solutions & carbon neutrality has also reinitiated the development of tribo-electrostatic energy scavenging systems. This talk will highlight an in-situ approach to investigating the interfacial mechanisms that characterise these systems - and provide a brief insight into how surface physics can underpin a wide range of seemingly disconnected phenomena.