Tribology: A Pathway to Sustainable Solutions

The EU 2020 Strategy outlines a vision for the 21st century that places a strong emphasis on addressing significant societal challenges. Among these challenges are the reduction of energy-material losses and a substantial improvement in environmental protection. Sustainability is recognized as a crucial component of this overall management objective and achieving “green quality” is seen as a vital opportunity to meet the demands of the present century. One integral aspect of green quality is the concept of Quality of Life (QL) [1,2].

Fig-1 Quality of life through Sustainability [3]

Quality of life is a term commonly used in everyday discourse, typically referring to the overall well-being and happiness of individuals. However, in a more scientific context, there are various approaches to defining and measuring quality of life, each focusing on different indicators. These indicators can encompass social factors like health, subjective well-being measures, economic indices, and more. In essence, the concept of Quality of Life extends beyond mere happiness and well-being, encompassing a broader set of factors and considerations that impact the overall quality of an individual’s life. Assessing the concept of QL involves a multifaceted and complex construct that necessitates the integration of various interdisciplinary methods. While each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, they often complement each other both in methodology and in the underlying concepts they bring to the table. The quality of life itself is an intricate outcome resulting from the interplay of numerous conditions working together in a complex manner. Moreover, QL is inherently linked to the sustainability and safety of social and ecosystems [1,2].

Fig-2 Sustainability index structure [4]

The exposition focuses on assessing the environmental quality of life, particularly concerning the safety and sustainability of systems within their surrounding environments. Complex systems are intricately connected to their environments, and mutual interactions between them are inherent in any life-support system. These interactions encompass various aspects, including how the system affects its environment by using material and energy resources and discharging waste. Currently, human-induced changes in nature, such as the release of carbon dioxide, are occurring at an unprecedented rate and scale, leading to global climate changes and adding complexity to these systems.

In evaluating the long-term behavior of complex systems, sustainability emerges as a key measure of system quality. Sustainability, in this context, refers to the system’s ability to ensure that future generations can enjoy a quality of life at least as good as the current generation. Safety is another crucial property inherent in any system. It reflects both the quantitative value of system degradation and the rate of processes leading to that degradation. Environmental degradation is identified as one of the most critical global challenges. Sustainability is determined by aggregating physical, social, technological, environmental, and resource parameters. The relationship between the safety properties of a complex system and other system properties is a fundamental quality indicator. The rate of entropy production within the system, representing the irreversibility of processes, serves as a characteristic quality indicator for system safety [1].

Securing safety in real systems involves diverse approaches. Evaluating safety isn’t simple, but identifying safety requirements and design constraints early can guide safe development. This aligns with green tribology, emphasizing safety in complex system design. Green tribology represents a holistic approach aimed at conserving materials and energy while enhancing environmental sustainability and the overall quality of life. This field has far-reaching implications for the economy, as it can lead to significant reductions in waste and extended equipment lifespans. By doing so, green tribology improves the economic, technological, and environmental balance. Additionally, it contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions from mechanical systems, thus assisting in mitigating climate change. Ultimately, the principles of green tribology have the potential to enhance sustainability and safety in human society on a broader scale, promoting a more harmonious coexistence with our environment [5].

References

[1] Assenova, E., Majstorović, V., Vencl, A. and Kandeva, M., 2012. Green tribology and quality of life. International Journal of Advanced Quality, 40(2), pp.26-32.

[2] Diener, E. and Suh, E., 1997. Measuring quality of life: Economic, social, and subjective indicators. Social indicators research, 40, pp.189-216.

[3] Lopez-Ruiz, V.R., Alfaro-Navarro, J.L. and Nevado-Pena, D., 2019. An intellectual capital approach to citizens’ quality of life in sustainable cities: A focus on Europe. Sustainability, 11(21), p.6025.

[4] Afgan, N.H. and Carvalho, M.G., 2002. Multi-criteria assessment of new and renewable energy power plants. Energy, 27(8), pp.739-755.

[5] Van Minh, N., Kuzharov, A., Huynh, N. and Kuzharov, A., 2020. Green Tribology. In Tribology in Materials and Manufacturing-Wear, Friction and Lubrication. IntechOpen.