Tribology is the science of friction, wear and lubrication of objects in relative motion.
There are probably less than 500 pure Tribologists world wide with several being members of the Parsec Group. Tribology covers friction, wear and lubrication in any environment of any material from the friction of air flow over the stabilizer fins of a rocket or missile to the friction encountered in a tiny electric motor. And, it provides the expertise to determine the most effective manner and materials to minimize the effects of friction, wear and energy demands. In contrast is the discipline of the Lubrication Engineer who is well versed in friction and wear but only in an earthbound environment and is restricted to solving such problems with conventional fluid lubricants. Our origin was NOT the petroleum industry but rather one of the harsh and unforgiving environment of deep space.