According to a study by economists at The Ohio State University, the average age of employed scientists rose from 45.1 years to 48.6 years between 1993 and 2010, faster than the workforce as a whole. The same study projects that the average age will rise by another 2.3 years in the near future. It means that a lot of people will be retiring soon and theyll be taking their vast experience and knowledge with them.

One solution to the problem could be for younger scientists and engineers to form associations to share knowledge, communicate and hopefully attract fresh recruits to the industry.

Junge Tribologen (the Young Tribologists) are one such association. A working group of Gesellschaft fur Tribologie, Germanys tribology association, it sets its own agenda, organizes symposia, tours laboratories and enlists new members. Its goals are to build up a network of young people, using the internet and social media, to maintain direct links with members and transfer knowledge in a friendly and trusting atmosphere.

LubesnGreases encountered the group at the 21st International Colloquium Tribology at Germanys Technische Akademie Esslingen in January. One member, Mirjam Baese of Magna Powertrain in Austria, who confessed she lost her heart to tribology, said that while the group admires the GfTs older members it wants to communicate less formally with its peers.

The benefits of membership are quicker problem solving and information access, mutual support, establishing a neutral discussion space outside the corporate environment and effective graduate contact.

Although small at the moment – 23 members and counting – associations such as the Young Tribologists in Europe could stem the outflow of the grey brain-drain.

The Young Tribologists are organizing their second symposium on May 8-9 at Technischen Universitt, Berlin. Email info@junge-tribologen.de for more information or visit www.junge-tribologen.de.