• Adjunct Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Andreas A. Polycarpou

Educational Background

  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo – 1994
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo – 1992
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo – 1990

Research Interests

  • Professor Polycarpou research interests include tribology, nanotechnology, microtribology related to miniature systems, magnetic storage, surface characterization, friction/vibration interaction, system dynamics and modeling, and experimental design and instrumentation. Specifically he studies micro/nanotribology of magnetic head disk interfaces and microelectromechanical systems. Recent emphasis has been on the tribology of devices for reduced energy and improved environmental-related impact, such as the use of carbon dioxide as a natural refrigerant and the use of surface treatments towards oil-less machine operation. Polycarpou is the author of over 200 archival journal papers, numerous book chapters, volume proceedings, a dozen patents and numerous conference papers.

Awards & Honors

  • 2021 National Academy of Inventors - Senior Member
  • 2019 Edwin F. Church Medal, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • 2018 Mayo D. Hersey Award, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • 2013 Fellow, Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE)
  • 2008 Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • 2008 Walter D. Hodson Award, Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE)
  • 2007 Fulbright Scholar, The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, Cyprus
  • 2007 Edmond E. Bisson Award, Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE)
  • 2003 National Science Foundation Faculty CAREER Award
  • 2001 Burt L. Newkirk Award, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Selected Publications

  • Rahman, M.S., J. Ding, A. Beheshti, X. Zhang, and A.A. Polycarpou, “Helium tribology of Inconel 617 at elevated temperatures up to 950C: Parametric study,” Nuclear Sci and Engr., 2019.
  • Humood, M., M.H. Ghamary, P. Lan, L.L. Iaccino, X. Bao, and A.A. Polycarpou, “Influence of additives on the friction and wear reduction of oil-based drilling fluid,” Wear, 422-423,151-160, 2019.
  • Humood, M., Y. Shi, M. Han, J. Lefebvre, Z. Yan, M. Pharr, Y. Zhang, Y. Huang, J.A. Rogers, and A.A. Polycarpou, “Fabrication and deformation of 3D multilayered kirigami microstructures,” Small, 14 (11), 1703852-1-9, 2018.
  • Economy, J., A.A. Polycarpou, and J. Meyer, “Polymer coating system for improved tribological performance,” United States Patent, 9,534,138, 2017.
  • Humood, M., S. Qin, Y. Song, K. Polychronopoulou, Y. Zhang, J.C. Grunlan, and A.A. Polycarpou, “The Influence of Graphene Reduction and Polymer Cross-Linking on Improving the Interfacial Properties of Multilayer Thin Films,” ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 9(1), 1107-1118, 2017.