We were saddened to learn that Dr. Phillip Landis, the scientist who developed the Lubegard synthetic lubricant molecule, passed at his Sedona, AZ home on February 4. He was 98.
During his 38-year career with Mobil Oil, Dr. Landis was the manager of the company’s Applied Research Group during which time he oversaw the team that developed Mobil 1 motor oil.
In 1986, after retiring from Mobil, Dr. Landis joined Lubegard’s parent company, International Lubricants Inc., where he is credited with the development of many ingredients and additives including the Liquid Wax Ester (LXE) molecule. This molecule is a synthetic replacement for sperm whale oil that was the base of many automotive and industrial lubricants.
During his lifetime, he was awarded more than 70 U.S. patents (10 for his work at Lubegard) and had published more than fifty technical papers. Dr. Landis is survived by his wife, Cornelia.