The modern development of technologies in engineering is currently focused on increasing energy efficiency and reducing material costs. There is a need to develop new technologies and design solutions that help minimize the waste of electrical energy and material resources. Reducing friction in bearings, particularly in the energy sector, is a significant source of savings and efficiency improvements. In conventional design and manufacturing technologies, friction or excessive load leads to wear, which must be digitized, monitored, and predicted during operation. In the field of additive manufacturing, the implementation of modern technologies and methods in the design and operation of machines enables much more efficient energy consumption and significantly lower material and operational costs. By implementing digitalization in production and advanced sensory technologies, it is possible to transition from planned maintenance to predictive maintenance, ensuring longer service life with minimized waste of energy and material resources.
Another area of focus is the research of polymer materials and composites for broader applications in industrial practice. Polymer materials, particularly thermoplastics and their composites, are widely used and continuously developed. Their advancement is closely related to the long-term pressure to reduce component weight and achieve rapid and efficient manufacturing, for instance, in the automotive industry. This can significantly lighten entire vehicles, thus reducing CO2 emissions during their operation. A large number of polymer materials can also be successfully recycled, facilitating a shift toward a circular economy. The low weight of polymer materials, combined with biocompatibility and the ability to easily create complex structures through additive technologies, makes them ideal candidates for bio-applications. When combined with Industry 4.0, it becomes possible to efficiently create personalized implants or complete replacements tailored to specific patients.
