D. Dowson - Böcker

The meeting addressed the topic of "Tribology for Energy Conservation" and attracted a wide range of stimulating papers and speakers. Some 150 delegates from nineteen countries attended and about sixty papers were presented in fifteen sessions. These covered the topics of lubricants, wear, friction reduction, hydrodynamics, elastohydrodynamic lubrication, surface roughness, manufacturing, component life (including condition monitoring), and automotive aspects.

This collection of fully peer-reviewed papers were presented at the 26th Leeds-Lyon Tribology Symposium which was held in Leeds, UK, 14-17 September, 1999. The Leeds-Lyon Symposia on Tribology were launched in 1974, and the large number of references to original work published in the Proceedings over many years confirms the quality of the published papers. It also indicates that the volumes have served their purpose and become a recognised feature of the tribological literature.

This year's title is 'Thinning Films and Tribological Interfaces', and the papers cover practical applications of tribological solutions in a wide range of situations.

The evolution of a full peer review process has been evident for a number of years. An important feature of the Leeds-Lyon Symposia is the presentation of current research findings. This remains an essential feature of the meetings, but for the 26th Symposium authors were invited to submit their papers for review a few weeks in advance of the Symposium. This provided an opportunity to discuss recommendations for modifications with the authors.

Major advances have been made in recent years in areas such as contact mechanics, wear, elastohydrodynamic lubrication incorporating surface texture, lubricant interactions with surfaces and the experimental interrogation of surface topography, surface films and lubricant film thickness. However, the needs of industry are equally intense with a seemingly relentless drive towards more compact, efficient and durable tribological systems.

Boundary and Mixed Lubrication: Science and Applications publishes peer-reviewed papers presented at the 28th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology. The Keynote address was presented by Professor Koji Kato, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan under the title "Wear of Boundary or Mixed Lubrication Regimes", which set the scene for the meeting with a review of recent scientific developments with a clear focus on the potential for technological and industrial development.