Bruker Corp. of Billerica, Mass., is set to acquire Center for Tribology Inc. (CETR), a privately held metrology instrumentation maker located in Campbell, Calif. Tribology covers the physical effects of surface-to-surface contact, including wear, friction and lubrication. CETR’s products help characterize nano-, micro- and macromechanical and tribological properties of materials under harsh environmental conditions. The instruments are used in academic labs for materials research and in industrial plants for quality control. The transaction is expected to close at the end of the third quarter of 2011. Bruker intends to integrate CETR’s management, operations, R&D, sales and support with its Nano Surfaces division.