Multiphysics Modelling in Bearing Lubrication

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite submissions to the Special Issue entitled “Multiphysics Modelling in Bearing Lubrication.” This issue aims to bring together the latest advances, emerging methodologies, and innovative insights into the complex multiphysics interactions governing bearing lubrication performance.

Modern bearing systems operate under extreme conditions—high speed, high load, and variable thermal environments—where the coupled effects of fluid dynamics, heat transfer, structural deformation, and material behavior become crucial. Understanding and modelling these coupled phenomena are essential for improving the reliability, efficiency, and longevity of both traditional and advanced bearing systems.

We welcome original research papers and comprehensive reviews that explore theoretical frameworks, numerical simulations, and experimental validations addressing the interplay between different physical fields in bearing lubrication. Studies employing finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), or other hybrid modelling techniques are especially encouraged.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Thermo–hydrodynamic and thermo–elasto–hydrodynamic lubrication (THD/TEHD);
• Fluid–structure and thermal coupling in journal, thrust, and rolling bearings;
• Effects of turbulence, cavitation, and non-Newtonian fluids;
• Multiscale and multiphysics simulation methods for lubricated interfaces;
• Shear-thinning, temperature-dependent, and surface roughness effects;
• Data-driven and reduced-order models for lubrication systems;
• Advanced materials, coatings, and smart lubricants under coupled fields;
• Experimental techniques for validation of multiphysics models.

We particularly encourage submissions from academia, research institutions, and industry that help bridge theory, simulation, and practical applications in bearing technology. This Special Issue provides an excellent opportunity to showcase cutting-edge work and foster collaboration within the international tribology community.

Dr. Shaoyu Zhu
Prof. Dr. Jun Sun
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Lubricants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• multiphysics modelling
• bearing lubrication
• thermo–hydrodynamic lubrication (THD)
• thermo–elasto–hydrodynamic lubrication (TEHD)
• mixed lubrication
• fluid–structure interaction (FSI)
• non-Newtonian lubricants
• turbulence
• computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
• data-driven and physics-informed simulation