Dr. Ali Erdemir was awarded the prestigious Tribology Gold Medal by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Known globally as an expert in tribology, he has dedicated over 35 years to advancing the industry.
Reflecting on the honor, he shared, ““The Tribology Gold Medal means a lot to me. It is the highest recognition that can be bestowed on a tribologist for his/her sustained and pioneering accomplishments in the field of tribology. I am very happy to bring such a high honor to our Department and University.”
He started his journey in tribology with an undergraduate degree in metallurgy from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey. Later, he earned his master’s and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. He started his career at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, conducting groundbreaking research from 1987 to 2019. Since joining the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Erdemir has continued to drive innovation by mentoring students and leading initiatives that strengthen the department’s research in materials science and tribology.
Dr. Guillermo Aguilar, department head, emphasized Erdemir’s impact, saying, "Dr. Ali Erdemir has set new benchmarks in the field of tribology, advancing our understanding of friction, wear, and lubrication in ways that profoundly impact both engineering and technology. His receipt of the Tribology Gold Medal highlights not only his contributions to the field but also his invaluable impact on the department and the next generation of mechanical engineers.”
Throughout his career, Erdemir has made significant contributions to tribology, most notably with his discovery of near-frictionless carbon films, boron-based solid lubricants, and superlubricious graphene films. His research has driven advancements in energy conservation and environmental sustainability in mechanical systems.
He remains a dedicated leader in tribology, having served as president of both the International Tribology Council (2017-2020) and the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) (2016-2017). With 36 U.S. patents and over 250 journal articles to his name, his extensive contributions underscore a highly influential career.