XRF Condition Monitoring of Oil Lubricated Machines
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Informatics
Abstract
The technology (called LCM) to be developed in this project uses X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) to measure the elemental composition and abundances of microscopic tribological debris caught in machine oil filters. It also measures the composition of the lubricant which also changes with wear. These data can be used to predict impending failure, target preventative maintenance, diagnose faults, and ensure optimum machine operation. LCM can be used on any oil lubricated machine with an oil filter.
This project will build a fully functional demonstrator version of LCM, prove that it can operate in situ in real time on real running machinery, and prepare to bring it to market.
Predicting impending failure and providing early warning of oil wear and machine wear enables operators to avoid downtime by targeting preventative maintenance. Optimum operation and preventing failure can be the difference between profit and loss. In safety critical systems detecting impending failures can save lives. As such, operators dedicate much time, money, and effort to condition monitoring.
LCM is a novel system invented in the UK.
This project will build a fully functional demonstrator version of LCM, prove that it can operate in situ in real time on real running machinery, and prepare to bring it to market.
Predicting impending failure and providing early warning of oil wear and machine wear enables operators to avoid downtime by targeting preventative maintenance. Optimum operation and preventing failure can be the difference between profit and loss. In safety critical systems detecting impending failures can save lives. As such, operators dedicate much time, money, and effort to condition monitoring.
LCM is a novel system invented in the UK.
People |
ORCID iD |
Anna Barnett (Principal Investigator) |
Publications

Lioliou G
(2022)
Electron-hole pair creation and conversion efficiency in radioisotope microbatteries.
in Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

Lioliou G
(2022)
Mo/4H-SiC Schottky diodes for room temperature X-ray and ? -ray spectroscopy
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Lioliou G
(2021)
Repurposing a low-cost commercial Si photodiode as a detector for X-ray and ? -ray spectroscopy at temperatures up to 80 °C
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Lioliou G
(2021)
The response of thick (10 ยต m) AlInP x-ray and ?-ray detectors at up to 88 keV
in Journal of Applied Physics

Lioliou G
(2021)
X-ray and ? -ray spectroscopy using a 2 × 2 GaAs p + -i-n + diode array
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Title | X-RAY AND GAMMA-RAY PHOTODIODE |
Description | A photodiode for use in detecting X-rays and/or gamma rays is disclosed. The photodiode comprises In Ga P arranged and configured to absorb X-rays and/or gamma- rays incident on the photodiode and generate charge-carriers in response thereto. The detector may be provided in an X-ray or gamma-ray photon counting spectrometer. |
IP Reference | CA3054760 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Patent applied for: Saudi Arabian Patent Application No. 519402563 Indian Patent Application No. 201917034640 Russian Patent Application No. 2019130429 Canada Patent Application No. 3054760 United States Patent Application No. 16/489425 European Patent Application No. 18709732.4 Chinese Patent Application (in process, pending translation; number to be provided in due course) |
Title | X-RAY AND GAMMA-RAY PHOTODIODE |
Description | A photodiode for use in detecting X-rays and/or gamma rays is disclosed. The photodiode comprises In Ga P arranged and configured to absorb X-rays and/or gamma- rays incident on the photodiode and generate charge-carriers in response thereto. The detector may be provided in an X-ray or gamma-ray photon counting spectrometer. |
IP Reference | WO2018158569 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Patent applications applied for: Saudi Arabian Patent Application No. 519402563 Indian Patent Application No. 201917034640 Russian Patent Application No. 2019130429 Canada Patent Application No. 3054760 United States Patent Application No. 16/489425 European Patent Application No. 18709732.4 Chinese Patent Application (in process, pending translation; number to be provided in due course) |
Title | X-RAY AND GAMMA-RAY PHOTODIODE |
Description | X-ray and gamma-ray photodiode |
IP Reference | EP3589983 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Patents applied for: Saudi Arabian Patent Application No. 519402563 Indian Patent Application No. 201917034640 Russian Patent Application No. 2019130429 Canada Patent Application No. 3054760 United States Patent Application No. 16/489425 European Patent Application No. 18709732.4 Chinese Patent Application (in process, pending translation; number to be provided in due course) |
Title | X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Photodiode |
Description | A photodiode for use in detecting X-rays and/or gamma rays is disclosed. The photodiode comprises InGaP arranged and configured to absorb X-rays and/or gamma-rays incident on the photodiode and generate charge-carriers in response thereto. The detector may be provided in an X-ray or gamma-ray photon counting spectrometer. |
IP Reference | US2020012001 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Other patents applied for Saudi Arabian Patent Application No. 519402563 Indian Patent Application No. 201917034640 Russian Patent Application No. 2019130429 Canada Patent Application No. 3054760 United States Patent Application No. 16/489425 European Patent Application No. 18709732.4 Chinese Patent Application (in process, pending translation; number to be provided in due course) |