Frictional losses in an engine waste fuel — as much as 10 to 20 percent of the total fuel energy, depending on factors such as engine size, type, driving conditions and weather. Reducing these losses by just 10 percent can reduce U.S. fuel consumption by 100,000 barrels of oil per day and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40,000 tonnes per day.

The Interfacial Mechanics and Materials Group develops advanced solutions to these problems that integrate fuel-efficient lubricants, low-friction materials and coatings and engineered surfaces to improve fuel economy of legacy vehicles by 2 to 3 percent, and of future vehicles by 4 to 8 percent, while maintaining or improving durability, reliability, and emissions characteristics.