Centric Parts, a manufacturer and supplier of aftermarket brake components and systems, has named Poh Wah Lee, Ph.D., to the newly created position of director of friction materials sciences.
The company says the appointment of a preeminent researcher focused on copper-free formulations marks an expansion of its research and development program.
"The entire industry is facing changing regulations based on increased environmental concerns about the use of copper in automotive friction formulations," says Centric Parts President Dan Lelchuk.
"Dr. Lee is uniquely qualified to spearhead Centric's research into developing environmentally-friendly and sustainable alternatives. His unique expertise will be a great asset to the Centric Parts team and will further enhance our research and development capabilities."
Having earned his bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees from Southern Illinois University (SIU), Dr. Lee comes to Centric following 15 years of research work at that University's Center for Advanced Friction Studies.
While at SIU, Dr. Lee was responsible for research and development of phenolic bonded friction materials for automotive applications, as well as carbon-carbon composite friction materials for aerospace and auto racing applications.
