Texas Tech develop friction software

Dr Seshadri Ramkumar, research associate for the Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech University, and his associates, have developed a solution for the complexity of friction with a simple friction factor software. 'The software will be of immense use to fibre, fabric, non-woven, polymer, leather and related industries and provides an easy solution to friction evaluation in material related industries. 'Instead of people having to calculate it, this software will make the whole process easier and quicker', said Ramkumar. Friction in materials plays an essential role in manufacturing, new product development, quality and product marketability. The smaller the frictional forces, the smoother the fabric surface is, which makes a softer and higher quality material. Research has shown that characterisation of the friction of visco-elastic materials is complex and requires in-depth calculation. The software automatically calculates the friction factor and is compatible with Windows-based operating systems such as Windows 98, 2000, ME and XP. The user-friendly software has Microsoft Access database for storing and retrieving results and Texas Tech University is making it available to the materials industry. Dr Ramkumar can be contacted at s.ramkumar@ttu.edu and Lance Anderson, Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property at TTU at lance.anderson@ttu.edu