Finding lubricants that work at exceptionally high temperatures challenges researchers and industries alike. A Virginia Tech team may have uncovered a promising candidate by happenstance: transition metal spinel oxides formed on nickel-chromium-based superalloys. Finding lubricants that work at exceptionally high temperatures challenges researchers and industries alike. A Virginia Tech team may have uncovered a promising candidate by happenstance: transition metal spinel oxides formed on nickel-chromium-based superalloys. Materials Science Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories