Thawhid Khan

Thawhid Khan, University of Sheffield

Dr Thawhid Khan is a Lecturer in Sustainable Transport in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. He is a member of the Leonardo Centre for Tribology at the University of Sheffield. Prior to this, he was a Senior Research Fellow in the Institute of Functional Surfaces at the University of Leeds and Research Engineer at the University of Sheffield AMRC.

Thawhid holds a PhD in Tribology from the University of Leeds and is a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Physics. His research investigates the fundamental tribochemical mechanisms governing additive–surface interactions and their influence on friction and wear. Recently, this research has broadened to encompass the development of sustainable lubricants and functional fluids for automotive and machining applications.

Abstract:

Sustainable Lubricants Under Electric Fields

With the global transition towards Electric Vehicles (EVs) to meet increasingly stringent CO₂ emission targets, a new generation of tribological challenges has emerged. Unlike conventional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) systems, EV drivetrains operate under fundamentally different mechanical, thermal, and electrical conditions. The presence of high-voltage battery systems introduces stray electrical currents and shaft voltages, making key components and lubricants more susceptible to electrical discharge (ED) damage, accelerated degradation, and altered tribological behaviour. Understanding the interactions between electrical phenomena and lubricant performance is therefore critical for the reliability and efficiency of next-generation EV transmissions and powertrain systems.

At the same time, truly sustainable transportation requires the development of equally sustainable lubrication technologies. This keynote explores the emerging role of environmentally friendly lubricant systems, including water-based lubricants and bio-derived additives, as potential alternatives to conventional transmission fluids for future mobility applications. The talk will examine the opportunities and limitations of these fluids in delivering effective lubrication, thermal management, electrical compatibility, and long-term durability, while also considering their broader environmental and sustainability benefits.