In recognition of his outstanding achievements in tribology in particular for his meritorious work in the field of rolling bearings.
Professor Stathis Ioannides obtained his Masters Degrees in Mechanical-Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Athens and in Applied Mechanics at the Imperial College of the University of London where he was awarded a DIC and a PhD. At Imperial College, he is also a Visiting Professor, a position in which he is engaged in post-doctoral research in the Applied Mechanics Division, Tribology, of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Professor Ioannides joined SKF in 1981 as Senior Engineer and progressed rapidly to become Technical Director of the Engineering & Research Centre in 1993 at Nieuwegein, Netherlands. In 1995 he was appointed Group Product Research & Development Director, directly responsible for the corporate part of all product-related project portfolios and relevant contacts within the SKF companies and world wide university contracts. The nature of his work requires knowledge in depth in many diverse technologies including tribology, noise and vibration, mechatronics, modelling and simulation.
He is best known for the development and implementation of a new life theory for rolling contact fatigue, recognised world-wide as an outstanding major tribological and scientific achievement. His bearing fatigue life equation is universally applicable to mechanical structural fatigue predictions, as well as to rolling contacts. It paved the way for the first time to relate these previously considered separate phenomena.
Professor Ioannides also developed experimental and theoretical models for the damage process when particulate contaminants in the lubricant are over-rolled, causing indentations, leading to increased stresses.
After the first publication of his theory in 1984, the rolling bearing industry has accepted the importance of the micro and mini-geometry of contact surfaces and therefore the damaging effect of contaminants and indentations from handling damage.
Professor Ioannides took care in transforming his theory into practical applicable computational methods which have become an accepted industry ISO standard. For the first time it is now possible to predict the probability of bearing life as compared with the traditionally empirical method used previously, thus achieving savings through downsizing, and meeting the ever increasing demands of reliability.
He has served professionally as editor and on technical panels on research and understanding of rolling bearings. He was largely instrumental in the introduction of the present ISO dealing with bearing life and contaminated environments.
Professor Ioannides has extensive contacts with universities and researches throughout the world and was a major influence on the development of several PhD work of persons who are now holding Chairs in Universities.
His published works cover many aspects of tribology including debris in bearings, bearing scuffing, grease in bearings, ehd lubrication modelling, rough surface effects in lubrication and pocket bearings.
In addition to his world-wide duties, Professor Ioannides has served as a consultant to the European Community with the responsibility there of assessing the effect of research and development within the European Community.
Professor Ioannides has made a very significant and major contribution to tribology in his career and has successfully bridged the gap between industry and academia. Despite his present high industrial role, he retains an acute and genuine interest in the science and application of tribology. He is a rare case of an engineering scientist, excelling both in the academic world and in industry.
To his many other recognitions is now added the world’s highest award in its field: the Tribology Gold Medal.
Professor Ioannides is indeed a very worthy recipient.