![]() Roger Smith continues “With the advances in efficiency and reduced energy in my latest single wheel co-axial escapement, we’re pushing the mechanical boundaries of current watch performance and service intervals beyond industry standards. The Manchester Metropolitan team are experimenting with different nanomaterials in the University’s Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre in conjunction with Roger Smith’s hand-crafted watch components including the escapement, which delivers power through to the timekeeping oscillator. “What we’re proposing is the use of advanced 2D nanomaterials to create a dry lubricated surface which will remove the need for a watch to be serviced”. The mechanism will therefore lose time and even seize up, which is why owners currently need to have their watches serviced at regular intervals”. “Over time a liquid lubricant’s viscosity will deteriorate, it will dry out and eventually even crumble away leaving surface deposits. This in turn increases the efficiency of the timepiece and so, in many ways, designing a watch mechanism can be considered a fight against friction. ![]() Manchester Metropolitan’s Dr Rowley-Neale said: “The main points of failure within a watch’s micromechanical mechanism are components such as pivots that use oil-based liquid lubricant to lower the amount of friction. ![]() Even as far back as the 18th century the great watchmaker, Breguet, recognised this fundamental problem when he said ‘Show me the perfect lubricant and I will show you the perfect watch!’ ”. It’s a centuries old barrier to progress. ![]() “Once you’ve optimised the mechanics of a watch, you still have to address the deterioration of lubricant oils. “The potential is quite staggering and it’s actually about lubrication rather than mechanics.” explains Roger Smith. The ultimate goal could be a mechanical timepiece that never needs servicing and will always keep time through the use of these next-generation materials. The researchers are working with Roger Smith to investigate whether nano-coatings can reduce, or potentially replace, the use of traditional oil-based lubricants in mechanical watches by applying virtually frictionless nano-coatings directly to mechanical watch parts. The panel was hosted by Sophie Bushwick, Technical Editor of Scientific American and Roger was joined by Dr Samuel Rowley-Neale and Dr Michael Down, research associates at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University, which has developed an international reputation for its leading-edge work in the science of nano-materials. Roger Smith on stage announcing groundbreaking research into the use of nano-coatings to improve the performance of mechanical watches. The announcement was made at a special panel hosted by the UK Department for International Trade as part of their ‘Designing Our Future’ showcase in New York City. Smith OBE, has announced groundbreaking research into the use of nano-coatings to improve the performance of mechanical watches. Great Britain’s leading independent watchmaker, Dr Roger W. “This application of quantum mechanics to classical physics could create the ‘perfect’ watch that never loses time or needs servicing” New York City, 4th April 2019
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |