doc. dr. Marko Polajnar

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Short biography

Assist. Prof. Dr. Marko Polajnar is researcher in the field of tribology, with a particular focus on elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication, wetting and solid-liquid interface phenomena. His research integrates experimental tribology, surface science, and interface nanoengineering to understand and optimize lubrication and frictional behavior in highly demanding mechanical contacts.

He has made significant contributions to the understanding of solid–liquid interface effects in EHD contacts, demonstrating interaction between surfaces and lubricants can be used to reduce friction and energy losses. His postdoctoral project InterEHL (2019–2021) introduced a novel approach to EHD contact design by employing different additives to tailor surface energy of steel surfaces to reduced full-film EHD friction.

Dr. Polajnar’s research combines fundamental and applied aspects, resulting in collaborations with major international industrial partners such as TOTAL, OERLIKON SOREVI and Aramco, where his expertise contributed to the development of high-performance lubricants, coatings, and tribological systems. His coordination and participation in Domestic and European application-oriented research projects—including SiNACERDI (automotive brakes), GreenSTAMP (stamping production process), BiLaTex (Ti/Hap implants) reflect his growing influence also in the real engineering and biological applications of the tribology.

In academia, he serves as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, where he leads and teaches several undergraduate courses in Maintenance, Drives, Aircraft Maintenance. He has supervised numerous bachelor’s and master’s students and supervise three PhD students.

Dr. Polajnar is an active member of the European tribological community, serving on the organizing and scientific committees of several international conferences, including EcoTrib, SloTrib, and PolyTrib. He has acted as guest editor and reviewer for leading international journals such as Lubrication Science and Wear. His scientific achievements are supported by over 40 international and domestic conference contributions, multiple invited lectures, and co-authorship in books and engineering handbooks such as Kraut’s Handbook of Mechanical Engineering.

Dr. Polajnar was awarded the Prešeren Faculty Award and the Faculty Award for International Research Promotion, acknowledging his early scientific excellence and active engagement in international research dissemination.

In addition to his academic activities, Dr. Polajnar has pursued advanced training abroad, including the MIT Professional Education Programme in Tribology: Friction, Wear, and Lubrication (Boston, USA, 2023, 1 week) and a visiting research fellowship at Imperial College London (UK, 2025, 7.5 months).

Bibliography in short

  • Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
  • Education: B.Sc. (2010) and Ph.D. (2015) in Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
  • Research areas: Tribology, EHD lubrication, wetting and interfacial phenomena, green tribology, surface nanoengineering, bio-tribology (implants, tooth wear), application-oriented tribology (stamping, brakes).
  • Publications: 18 scientific papers
  • Invited lectures: 5 at international conferences (Germany, Japan, Italy, Croatia)
  • Conference contributions: Over 40 presentations worldwide
  • Book chapters: Co-author of chapters in Kraut’s Handbook of Mechanical Engineering and Explanatory Dictionary of Mechanical Engineering, Co-author of the chapter in book Applications of diamond-like carbon coatings
  • Industrial reports: Over 20 for national and international companies
  • Research projects: Collaboration in 5 domestic and international projects
  • Conference and editorial activity: Member of scientific and organizing committees of EcoTrib, SloTrib, PolyTrib; Guest Editor of Wear (Special Issue, 2017–2018)
  • Teaching and mentorship: Developer and lecturer of new courses Maintenance, Drives, Aircraft Maintenance; mentor/co-mentor to 18 students
  • Awards: Prešeren Faculty Award (2010), Faculty Award for International Research Promotion (2013)
  • International training and visits: MIT (Boston, USA, 2023, 1 week), Imperial College London (London, UK, 2025, 7.5 months)

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