Tribology expert John Tichy, professor of mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering, recently participated in the fourth edition of the African Conference in Tribology (ACT 2023) in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.

The ACT focused on current and future tribological challenges being addressed by both academic and industrial researchers to improve our future, including the impact of tribology on human health, the environmental impact of tribology, and more.

The conference was organized by Professor Benyebka Bou-Saïd of the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, a longtime colleague of Tichy’s who has been a visiting scholar at RPI. The opening ceremony, at which Tichy gave the introductory speech, was attended by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries, and was featured on the Ivory Coast national news.

According to Tichy, as an associated theme to the scientific nature of this meeting, the organizers wished to emphasize humanitarian issues.  Participants were asked to aid in the development of local elementary schools by contributing greatly valued but inexpensive educational items such as pencils, notebooks, chalk, backpacks, and other school supplies.