About the PFTL

Particle flows are important phenomena that occur in tribology, biomedical engineering, geology, and in nanomanufacturing. These flows are present at different length scales and produce different types of mechanical effects. The "Particle Flow and Tribology Laboratory” (PFTL)  is studying the effects of these flows in slurry, powder, and granular form.

The PFTL is supervised by Professor C. Fred Higgs III, a mechanical engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University since the Fall of 2003. Currently, there are 4 graduate students and 1 postdoctorate conducting particle flow and tribology related  research in the PFTL. The PFTL also has 4-5 undergraduate research from different Carnegie Mellon departments, including electrical and computer engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering.

Several of the research projects in the PFTL are relevant to the semiconductor, data storage, nanofabrication, space, biology, and information technology sectors.
 

What is Tribology?
Vision of the PFTL (a schematic)
Becoming a PFTL Sponsor
Becoming a PFTL Student
PFTL Facilities