Rate My Professor Tiago Cousseau

Dr. Tiago Cousseau is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Newcastle, serving as a Consulting Engineer with TUNRA Bulk Solids in the Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies within the College of Engineering, Science and Environment. Specialized in mechanical design, tribology, and statistics, he holds a PhD in Tribology from the University of Porto obtained in 2013, with portions of his doctoral research conducted at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden and the SKF Engineering and Research Centre in the Netherlands, focusing on the efficiency of grease-lubricated ball bearings. He also possesses a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. His professional trajectory spans over 13 years, encompassing the full project lifecycle from proposal to reporting, including test rig design, experimentation, data analysis, and model development for enhancing machine elements in bulk solids handling through optimized design, surface finishing, lubrication, and materials. Prior roles include University Lecturer at the University of Newcastle's Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies from February 2023 to April 2024, University Lecturer and Associate Professor at the Federal University of Technology – Paraná's Department of Mechanical Engineering in Brazil from August 2016 to April 2024, Researcher and Invited Assistant Professor at the University of São Paulo from December 2013 to December 2016, Researcher at SKF Engineering and Research Centre in the Netherlands, Researcher at the Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in Portugal, and Assistant Professor positions at the University of Porto Faculty of Engineering and the Polytechnic of Porto School of Engineering.

Cousseau's research focuses on bulk materials handling and transportation, friction, lubrication, tribology, and wear, with primary fields comprising tribology (50%), solid mechanics (30%), and engineering design (20%). He has produced over 80 scholarly outputs, including 40 journal articles and 17 conference papers, accumulating more than 715 citations from collaborations with academic and industry partners such as VALE mining company. Notable publications include 'Optimizing Friction Losses of Conveyor Systems Using Large-Diameter Idler Rollers' (Lubricants, 2025), 'Polymeric Idler Roll Abrasion Resistance Evaluation' (ICBMH2023, 2023), 'Effect of calcium and lithium as thickeners in greases in twin disc testing applied to wheel/rail contact' (Wear, 2026), 'Microstructural changes in the gauge corner for heavy haul pearlitic rails with and without lubrication' (Wear, 2025), and 'Experimental analysis of friction torque loss in grease lubricated deep groove ball bearings' (Proceedings of the 27th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering, 2025). He has managed multiple industry projects, secured government research funding, coordinated two research laboratories, maintained equipment and safety protocols, and supervised 15 researchers.