Abstract: Methods for forming carbon-based lubricious and/or wear-protective films in situ on the surface of steel alloys are provided. The methods use chromium-containing steel alloys, molybdenum-containing steel alloys, and steel alloys that contain both copper and nickel. When such alloys are subjected to a rubbing motion in the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid, the chromium, molybdenum, copper, and nickel in the steel alloy catalyzes the formation of solid carbon-containing films that reduce the friction, wear, or both of the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: Low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins are provided. Also provided are catalyst-mediated methods of making the low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins and a catalyst system for carrying out the methods. The catalyst system is a homogeneous catalytic system that includes a single-site organozirconium complex and hydrocarbon-soluble perfluoroarylborate co-catalyst that is highly active for the oligomerization of olefin monomers in non-polar media.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules functioning as precursor molecules to induce tribopolymerization and forming in situ protective tribofilm with desirable robustness and low shear resistance. Each lubricant additive molecule includes one or more surface-active groups attractable to target surface, and a carbon containing component operable connected to the one or more surface active groups. The carbon containing component comprise a carbon ring structure having a high ring strain that is metastable and activatable with a ring-opening reaction. A less stable carbon ring structure is more readily activated to the intermediate state, preferable to form more active fragments. Increasing the adsorption strength further is beneficial to prolonging the residence time of additive molecules on the target surface, thereby facilitating the dissociation of molecules and subsequent polymerization.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of hardening a surface of a substrate comprises directing a waterjet having a transition flow region, the waterjet comprising water and particles, at a surface of a substrate such that the waterjet impacts the surface within the transition flow region to provide a layer of embedded particles underneath the surface of the substrate, thereby forming a hardened substrate. The hardened substrates are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for forming carbon-based lubricious and/or wear-protective films in situ on the surface of steel alloys are provided. The methods use chromium-containing steel alloys, molybdenum-containing steel alloys, and steel alloys that contain both copper and nickel. When such alloys are subjected to a rubbing motion in the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid, the chromium, molybdenum, copper, and nickel in the steel alloy catalyzes the formation of solid carbon-containing films that reduce the friction, wear, or both of the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: Low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins are provided. Also provided are catalyst-mediated methods of making the low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins and a catalyst system for carrying out the methods. The catalyst system is a homogeneous catalytic system that includes a single-site organozirconium complex and hydrocarbon-soluble perfluoroarylborate co-catalyst that is highly active for the oligomerization of olefin monomers in non-polar media.

Abstract: Low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins are provided. Also provided are catalyst-mediated methods of making the low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins and a catalyst system for carrying out the methods. The catalyst system is a homogeneous catalytic system that includes a single-site organozirconium complex and hydrocarbon-soluble perfluoroarylborate co-catalyst that is highly active for the oligomerization of olefin monomers in non-polar media.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an alloy includes a first element comprising magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), chromium (Cr), or nickelaluminum (NiAl), a second element comprising lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), aluminum (Al), or a combination thereof, and a third element comprising zinc (Zn). According to the invention, nanoscale precipitates is produced in the magnesium alloy by additions of zinc and specific heat-treatment. These precipitates lower the energy for dislocation movements and increase the number of available slip systems in the magnesium alloy at room temperature and hence improve ductility and formability of the magnesium alloy.

Abstract: A method of reducing viability of a microbe is provided. An illustrative method comprises contacting a microbe with an antimicrobial surface comprising a copper-alloy steel comprising an iron matrix and copper nanoprecipitates distributed throughout the iron matrix, wherein the copper-alloy steel comprises: Cu in a range from 0.5 weight % to 5.0 weight %; C in a range from 0.03 weight % to 0.10 weight %; Mn in a range from 0.20 weight % to 5.0 weight %; Ni in a range from 0.0 weight % to 6.0 weight %; Al in a range from 0.0 weight % to 4.0 weight %; Nb in a range from 0.0 weight % to 0.10 weight %; Si in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Mo in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Ti in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; V in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Cr in a range from 0.0 weight % to 8.0 weight %; and a balance of Fe. The antimicrobial surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules functioning as precursor molecules to induce tribopolymerization and forming in situ protective tribofilm with desirable robustness and low shear resistance. Each lubricant additive molecule includes one or more surface-active groups attractable to target surface, and a carbon containing component operable connected to the one or more surface active groups. The carbon containing component comprise a carbon ring structure having a high ring strain that is metastable and activatable with a ring-opening reaction. A less stable carbon ring structure is more readily activated to the intermediate state, preferable to form more active fragments. Increasing the adsorption strength further is beneficial to prolonging the residence time of additive molecules on the target surface, thereby facilitating the dissociation of molecules and subsequent polymerization.

Abstract: Low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins are provided. Also provided are catalyst-mediated methods of making the low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins and a catalyst system for carrying out the methods. The catalyst system is a homogeneous catalytic system that includes a single-site organozirconium complex and hydrocarbon-soluble perfluoroarylborate co-catalyst that is highly active for the oligomerization of olefin monomers in non-polar media.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules. Each molecule includes a surface active group attractable to a target surface, wherein the surface active group comprises a carboxyl group, a siloxyl group, an amine group, or a mixture thereof, and a carbon containing component connected to the surface active group, wherein the carbon containing component comprises a carbon ring, wherein the surface active group and the carbon containing component are adapted such that the carbon film is formed in situ on the target surface of the target machine only when tribological energy activates the lubricant additive to unravel the carbon containing component under a pressure and a temperature during operation.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of hardening a surface of a substrate comprises directing a waterjet having a transition flow region, the waterjet comprising water and particles, at a surface of a substrate such that the waterjet impacts the surface within the transition flow region to provide a layer of embedded particles underneath the surface of the substrate, thereby forming a hardened substrate. The hardened substrates are also provided.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules. Each molecule includes a surface active group attractable to a target surface, wherein the surface active group comprises a carboxyl group, a siloxyl group, an amine group, or a mixture thereof, and a carbon containing component connected to the surface active group, wherein the carbon containing component comprises a carbon ring, wherein the surface active group and the carbon containing component are adapted such that the carbon film is formed in situ on the target surface of the target machine only when tribological energy activates the lubricant additive to unravel the carbon containing component under a pressure and a temperature during operation.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules. Each lubricant additive molecule includes a surface active group attractable to a target surface, and a carbon containing component connected to the surface active group, for providing a carbon source to form a carbon film on the target surface. A method for in situ forming of a carbon film using the lubricant composition, includes adding the lubricant composition into a target machine such that the lubricant composition is in contact with a target surface of the target machine, and operating the target machine to cause a temperature and a pressure at the target surface so that the carbon containing component is unraveled thereon to form a carbon film on the target surface during the operation.

Abstract: Steel compositions are provided. A steel composition may include iron; from 0.015 to 0.06 wt. % carbon; from 9 to 12 wt. % chromium; from 0.75 to 1.5 wt. % manganese; from 0.08 to 0.18 wt. % molybdenum; from 0.10 to 0.30 wt. % silicon; from 0.2 to 1.0 wt. % vanadium; from 0.05 to 1.2 wt. % niobium; and optionally, an amount of an additional precipitate forming alloying element. Methods of making the steel compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a lubrication material using self-dispersed crumpled graphene balls as additives in a lubricant base fluid for friction and wear reduction. The lubricant base fluid may be, for example, a polyalphaolefin type-4 (PAO4) oil. After the crumpled graphene balls are added as additives in the lubricant base fluid, the lubricant base fluid with the additives are sonicated for a sonicating time period, so that the crumpled graphene balls are self-dispersed in the lubricant base fluid to improve friction and wear properties of the lubricant base fluid. In some cases, a dispersing agent, such as Triethoxysilane, may be added in the lubricant base fluid to enhance stability of dispersion of the crumpled graphene balls in the lubricant base fluid. The crumpled graphene balls may stay stably dispersed in the lubricant base fluid between a lower temperature (such as ?15° C.) to a higher temperature (such as 90° C.).

Abstract: Compositions comprising one or more cyclen compounds which can be structurally modified to affect anti-friction and anti-wear functionality.

Abstract: A method of using lubricant compositions to reduce wear between two surfaces exposed to a load condition of at least 1 GPa is provided. The lubricant compositions comprise polysiloxane base oils having alkylaryl or a combination of alkyl and aryl functionality. The polysiloxane base oils may be defined according to the formula: wherein R, R?, and R? are independently selected, such that R is an alkyl group having between 1-3 carbon atoms; R? is an alkylaryl group comprising alkyl functionality with 3-12 carbon atoms and aryl functionality with 6 to 12 carbon atoms; R? is an alkyl group having between 1-3 carbon atoms or an alkylaryl group comprising alkyl functionality with 3-12 carbon atoms and aryl functionality with 6 to 12 carbon atoms; and m and n are integers, such that 8<(m+n)<500.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules. Each lubricant additive molecule includes a surface active group attractable to a target surface, and a carbon containing component connected to the surface active group, for providing a carbon source to form a carbon film on the target surface. A method for in situ forming of a carbon film using the lubricant composition, includes adding the lubricant composition into a target machine such that the lubricant composition is in contact with a target surface of the target machine, and operating the target machine to cause a temperature and a pressure at the target surface so that the carbon containing component is unraveled thereon to form a carbon film on the target surface during the operation.