TriboTEX

TriboTEX is a nanoparticle oil additive manufacturer and research company founded by Pavlo Rudenko in 2009.

History

While completing a Ph.D. at Washington State University he researched nanomaterials that could be used as a safe and environmentally friendly oil additive.. Rudenko settled on a synthetic nanomaterial called Magnesium Silicone Hydroxide (MSH). In 2017 the company produced and sold a commercial oil additive for cars as a syringe that is injected into the engine oil.

Funding

TriboTEX received a phase two SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation in 2015. The grant stipulates that the company scale up production of the nanomaterial additive. It also provided for additional testing and investigations into other uses of the anisotropic nanostructures .

Awards

• Defense Innovation Award (2017)
• Best Technology Prize at University of Washington

Products

TriboTEX produces an engine oil additive that contains anisotropic nanoparticles that have functionally different sides. As an additive, nanoparticles can reduce friction in engines. Worn parts can also be repaired when the nanomaterial fills in worn away material .