New ultrasonic framework improves dynamic oil film thickness measurement in rolling bearings
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 31-May-2026 18:15 ET (31-May-2026 22:15 GMT/UTC)
Rolling bearings are critical components in heavy machinery, and their lubricant film thickness directly determines equipment reliability. This new study introduces a coupled elastohydrodynamic–acoustic framework for high-resolution, noninvasive ultrasonic measurement of dynamic oil film thickness in bearings. By accounting for elastic deformation and cavitation, the method greatly improves measurement accuracy and supports real-world industrial monitoring. It offers a practical way to assess bearing health and enhance operational stability.
While guide dogs provide tremendous benefits, the current training program faces serious inefficiencies, since a large percentage never actually assist an owner. Only 60% of dogs evaluated for assistance work graduate from their training programs. This means a loss of more than $12,000 per dog unable to complete training. A dog that has completed the program costs up to $50,000, and people can wait years for a trained animal.
Most dogs that fail to complete guide dog training do so because of behavioral issues. This led Breno Fragomeni, associate professor of animal science in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), to conduct an analysis of dogs’ genetics to see if there was a way to better predict which animals would be successful guide dogs.
“If we can tell before they are trained if they [will be successful], that saves a lot of time and a lot of money, and it will also increase the number of guide dogs out there to help people,” Fragomeni says.
This work was published in Genetics Selection Evolution.