What do polymers, EV fluids, and air bubbles have in common? Dr Eliane Gendreau has been connecting the dots.

In the second edition of Surface Interactions, we speak to Eliane about the science behind next-generation lubricants. Her PhD research at Imperial College London focused on how polymer architecture shapes lubricant behaviour in elastohydrodynamic contacts. She developed optical techniques to observe what happens at the micro and nano scale, bringing new insight into how viscosity modifiers behave under pressure.

Now at Shell, Eliane works across multiple lubricant technologies, from air entrainment to thermal management and sustainability. Her approach combines deep technical understanding with a practical view of what industry needs next. We started by asking where her focus is today, and how her research background continues to shape her perspective.

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1. You work across a range of lubricant technologies, what area are you most focused on?

During my PhD, my main focus was viscosity modifiers. I studied the effect of polymers on lubricant rheology in an elastohydrodynamic contact (full film lubrication). I developed optical techniques to get fundamental insights into the behaviour of polymers at the micro- and nanoscale. I have now been working for Shell for two years and I am lucky to work on lubricants for different applications. In May this year, I presented my work on aeration at the STLE conference in Atlanta. I discussed formulation levers to mitigate aeration in low viscosity engine oils.

2. How does air entrainment affect lubricant performance, and what are some of the ways it can be managed?

A small quantity of air in a lubricant is generally not detrimental to the lubrication performance, as the air dissolves in the oil when the pressure increases in the lubricated contact. Aerated oil might lead to premature failures as less volume of oil is supplied to the contact, and the oil performance is reduced, with potentially an accelerated oxidation and a reduced heat transfer. Anti-foam additives are usually used to manage aeration issues. There are other ways of tackling aeration, such as improving the design of the hardware to reduce mechanical agitation, using a more viscous lubricant, or filtering out contaminants.

3. What experimental techniques have been most useful in your work?

Being now office-based, I do sometimes miss being in the lab and building new experimental techniques. I had a lot of fun doing so during my PhD. I am particularly proud that a couple of my rigs and methods have been used and improved by other PhD students for their own projects. As I focused on the EHD lubrication regime during my PhD, I extensively used the EHD rig by PCS Instruments. Using glass and sapphire discs to enable optical access, I developed fluorescence spectroscopy techniques to understand the rheology of polymer-containing solutions in situ in a tribological contact. Optical techniques are very versatile, and I was able 1) to study the local viscosity of the lubricant in the contact, 2) to reconstruct flow profiles, 3) to track the local concentration of polymers in the contact. Combining different techniques also proved to be very powerful, one of my main findings during my PhD was to derive the rheological response of a lubricant from film thickness and friction measurements. The measurements were done under a wide range of shear rates and pressures, using the MTM rig by PCS Instruments.

4. What tribological challenges are emerging in next-generation lubricants, particularly in applications like EVs?

The lubricant industry is a stimulating field to work in, as requirements become more stringent and new opportunities arise. I am particularly interested in the sustainability evolutions. I hope to see exciting innovations in the next few years around more sustainable lubricants, such as re-refined base oils or base oils made from waste, and alternative additives that more environmental-friendly. Changes in lubricant formulations might be driven by new regulations, but also by a better understanding of the cradle-to-grave lifecycle assessment of lubricants. Regarding EVs, the challenge is to formulate fluids that are good lubricants but also have good thermal properties. I am looking forward to the wider development of immersion cooling.

5. Sustainability is a major focus across the lubricants industry. How are things evolving?

I am very excited about the sustainability initiatives in the lubricants industry. I believe that a lot more should be done, and it is interesting that there are many possible ways to reduce the negative impact of lubricants on the environment. Emissions can be reduced by improving the end-to-end manufacturing processes, for example by using renewable energy for the blending, or by using packaging made from recycled plastics. There are also opportunities to improve the carbon footprint of the lubricant itself, by using re-refined base oils or components from renewable sources. Better condition monitoring and optimised oil drain intervals help reduce the volume of lubricant needed. It is important to consider the overall impact of lubricants in each application, as avoided emissions can lead to significant reductions of the carbon footprint. High-performance lubricants are designed to minimise frictional losses, reduce wear and enhance the reliability and durability of machines, which can substantially lower the overall carbon footprint of the application.

6. Has anything you’ve read or researched recently stood out or influenced your work in a new direction?

I recently attended the latest IMechE tribology webinar, where Dr. Alexander MacLaren presented his findings on churning losses in an EV gearbox. Dr. MacLaren discovered that, for the gearbox he used, the viscosity at which the churning losses were minimised was not the lowest viscosity. By testing fluids of different viscosities, he found that increasing viscosity could reduce churning losses, which is quite counter-intuitive. This inspiring example reminded me of the importance of keeping an open mind and not taking things for granted. Tribology is such a fascinating and complex field, I am motivated to continue learning and building a strong foundational knowledge, while keeping a fresh eye and innovating mindset.

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Eliane’s journey through tribology is shaped by both detail and perspective. During her PhD, she built custom rigs, developed fluorescence spectroscopy techniques, and explored polymer behaviour under pressure in ways that have informed the work of others. Today, she applies that same mindset to the complex challenges of modern lubricant formulation, working across a wide range of applications with a focus on performance, thermal properties, and sustainability.

Her recent work on aeration highlights how new thinking around formulation and system design can address persistent issues in engine oils. But perhaps most importantly, Eliane brings a refreshing clarity to her work. She’s thoughtful about what has been done, curious about what comes next, and always willing to question the assumptions that often go unchallenged.

This combination of rigour and openness is what makes her perspective stand out and why tribology needs voices like hers as it moves forward.

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