The University of Sheffield
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Professor Rob Dwyer-Joyce

BSc PhD CEng FIMechE

Prof Dwyer-Joyce

Professor of Lubrication Engineering

Head of Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
UK

Telephone: +44(0)114 2227736
Fax: +44(0)114 2227840

email : r.dwyer-joyce@sheffield.ac.uk

Profile

Rob Dwyer-Joyce is Professor of Lubrication Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He has a first degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College and a PhD in Tribology. After graduating he worked for British Gas in the Petroleum Production Division and offshore on the Rough gas field. Rob joined the Department in 1994; he manages the Leonardo Centre for Tribology that specialises in industrial wear and lubrication problems, and the development of metrology tools for tribology. Rob teaches fluid mechanics and tribology of machine elements to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Other professional activities and achievements:

Areas of Research

Professor Dwyer-Joyce's research covers a range of industrial wear and lubrication problems. The work involves the development of metrology tools, experimental techniques (wear, friction, bearings and lubrication rigs), and advanced analytical models. The projects are funded by a combination of EPSRC, EU and industry.

One research theme is the wear of engineering components. This involves testing on specimens and real components, as well as modelling and development of wear resistant systems. Projects have included wear of railway wheels, recession of engine valves, wear of rolling bearings, polymer bearing and gears, aircraft landing gear pins, and wear in automotive chain drives. Recently this work has been extended into aspects of bio-tribology, including design of a mandibular joint replacement, and human tooth wear.

Another activity is the development of sensors for studying interfaces in machine components. Instruments have been developed to determine the contact area and pressure distribution. This has been used to study contacts in CV joints, graphite nuclear reactor bricks, and seals. Some unique work has been performed to measure the contact stress in shrink fitted components like railway wheel axles.

Professor Dwyer-Joyce's research group has developed and patented a device for the ultrasonic measurement of lubricant film thickness. The instrument allows the on-line measurement of oil film thickness (down to nanometer thick films) in components. This has been used to measure films in rolling bearings, prosthetic hip joints, motorsport pistons, seals, and the thrust pads for the Dinorwig power station. This work is currently being commercialised by Tribosonics Ltd. a University spinout company.

Research Projects

Teaching

Prof. Dwyer-Joyce teaches Fluids Engineering (MEC208) to Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomechanical Engineering students. This second year course is all about the interaction between fluids and engineering machines and structures. It gives students the tools to determine how the properties of liquids and gases are changed when they interact with components like pipelines, pumps, aerofoils or turbine blades, and how this results in transfer of force, torque, momentum and energy.

Current Research Grants

Selected Publications