The Future of E-Mobility with Lubrication Expert Jeff Wheeler
Jeff Wheeler has been with Nye for five years as a part of our automotive team working out of the Detroit office. Within the automotive team, Jeff helps customers find lubrication solutions for their electrified systems and components. Prior to working for Nye, Jeff worked as an engineer for the United States Steel Corporation. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University.
What are some of the challenges design engineers may face when designing electric vehicles?
The electrification of the automotive world has changed everything – from how we look at the lubrication of propulsion systems to the sounds the occupants hear while they are driving to even the overall customer experience. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR), will become a major concern as some of these sounds were masked by the noisy ‘ICE’ engine. Battery development will need to address range anxiety and charging speeds. Thermal management will be critical as well as improving efficiencies in all systems to use the available power most effectively. The design and protection of electrical and ADAS systems will be more important than ever as everything will now be connected. Multiple redundancies may be required, particularly for autonomous driving functions. Higher levels of connectivity will require more connectors and a greater opportunity for continuity issues and connector failures.
How can specialty lubricants be used to solve these design challenges?
The increased demands and unique systems of EVs will require advanced lubricant solutions. We are paying close attention to the evolution of the industry and looking to develop next generation products that will meet and exceed our industry partners requirements. The real challenge is providing solutions that not only reduce noise and solve increased wear, efficiency, and thermal requirements, but also enhance the driver experience.
Driveline components will need lighter viscosities, better anti-wear & efficiency, and reduced friction to help increase range. Thermal management systems will need products that will help control and dissipate heat. Corrosion protection will become more important than ever as EVs are expected to last longer than current ICE vehicles. Electrical systems will be critical to the operation of the vehicle and will need to survive longer and operate at higher temperatures.
NVH and BSR solutions will be very important as concerns in these areas are a perception of quality. Damping, motion control and the feel of the operation of knobs, switches and controls will be looked at more closely by customers. To meet the needs of the market, we are continually developing new products like our NyoGel® 975F – a silicone-free mid-level damping grease with consistent performance over a wide temperature range. This new player in the market will give OEMs another option if silicone migration is a concern. Adding this to our already impressive lineup of motion control products puts Nye in a great position to help the industry.
In short, greases may need to operate over wider temperatures while focusing on reducing noise and lowering torque. I believe Nye is prepared to tackle all these challenges with our highly advanced lubrication solutions. The specialized lubricants Nye is developing today will not only meet but exceed the demands of the future.
What are the benefits of a using a connector grease from Nye?
As the industry leader in connector lubricant technology, I feel Nye is uniquely positioned to help all our connector manufacturing partners develop and provide robust connection systems that will ensure all the components of an electrified application operate flawlessly. Our mantra of ‘Lube for Life’ does not just apply to your typical driveline, interior and chassis components. We expect that a connector that is protected with one of our connector lubricants will fulfil the manufacturers lifetime requirement for the system it serves. Applying a connector grease will help prevent fretting corrosion, guard against oxidation, reduce wear, provide environmental protection and a barrier against water intrusion; and reduce mating force. All the elements necessary for a robust connection system that avoids costly warranty issues and dreaded recalls.
Outside of traditional vehicles, what kinds of e-mobility solutions should we expect within the next five years? What lubrication challenges do these applications pose?
The sky is the limit with e-mobility. Literally. I think we are going to see every form of transportation move to electrification. We are already seeing e-bikes, e-scooters, e-motorcycles, drones and toys like hoverboards, in addition to passenger cars, semi-trucks and industrial and commercial vehicles. In the near future there will be more common forms of mass transportation going electric like private carpools, taxis, buses and trains. Airplanes and helicopters are even moving in this direction. What I see evolving to mainstream very quickly is shared mobility like ridesharing, e-hailing, robo-taxis and shuttles, rapid increases in micro-mobility and of course higher levels of autonomous functions.
As the market moves to full electrification, autonomous driving and shared mobility; lubricants will be required to help increase the lifespan of components, increase efficiencies of systems and provide a richer passenger experience. Some segments of micro-mobility will see constant operation and will need more robust lubricant solutions. This really means providing the comfort, sound and feel the customer desires while helping manufactures provide components that will last the lifetime of the vehicle. Systems need to be more efficient and require less power drain as more and more systems will be drawing from the same sources. Lubricants will need to be a part of this solution.
What is your favorite part about working at Nye?
Personal relationships. I love helping my customers find solutions to their problems and working with the people in our company that help make that happen. An added bonus is working directly in the future of mobility – electrification and autonomous functionality. It’s exciting to be riding the wave of the future.
