The award-winning paper, titled “Load-Independent Power Losses of Fully Flooded Lubricated Tapered Roller Bearings: Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Operating Temperature and Housing Wall Distances,” explores how operating temperature and the proximity of housing walls influence power losses in fully-flooded lubricated tapered roller bearings. Co-authored by Prof. Concli and researcher Maccioni, the study employs both numerical simulations and experimental measurements to examine these effects on bearing performance. Its focus is on load-independent power losses—energy losses that occur regardless of the mechanical load—a critical yet often overlooked factor in bearing design and efficiency.

The findings demonstrate that even without changes in bearing load, factors such as temperature and housing geometry can significantly affect power loss. These insights have important implications for improving energy efficiency in mechanical systems, particularly in automotive and industrial applications. By accounting for these load-independent factors, engineers and designers can develop bearings and lubrication systems that reduce frictional losses, leading to more efficient engines and machinery across various industries.