Contact Professor John Nicholls
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 754039
- Email: J.R.Nicholls@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
Background
John Nicholls joined Cranfield Institute of Technology (now Cranfield University), as a Research Officer, in 1974. He was promoted to Senior Research Officer and Head of ‘High Temperature Materials’ in 1978; following his appointment, the group’s research activities expanded to encompass contaminant corrosion of materials for boilers, gas turbines and diesel engines; high temperature erosion, erosion-corrosion interactions; and the performance of coatings at high temperatures. These themes have been a fundamental aspect of Professor Nicholls research, over 35 years, where he has an international reputation for his studies in the design and manufacture of coating systems to combat high temperature corrosion, erosion and wear.
The research into coating technology, coating manufacture and its subsequent performance has expanded greatly since 1980, and is now one of the core theme of the Institute’s (SENTi) activities. Continued growth was acknowledged with his appointment as Principal Research Officer (1985), Senior Principal Research Officer (1989) and in 1991 to a personal chair, Professor of Coating Technology. Research interests include the design and manufacture of coating systems and surface treatments to combat high temperature oxidation, corrosion, erosion and other high temperature wear processes. In 1991 he was also appointed European Editor of ‘Materials at High Temperatures’, a peer reviewed specialist journal. Since his appointment to Professor of Coating Technology, his research group has continued to expand. Between 2001-2004, he established the ‘National High Temperature Surface Engineering Research Centre’ at Cranfield which he has directed since this date, an outwardly facing business unit within the School of Applied Sciences at Cranfield that can develop and manufacture coating systems from laboratory scale through to pilot plant demonstrator. In 2006, Professor Nicholls was appointed Head of the ‘Surface Science and Engineering Centre’ at Cranfield University and in 2012 to Head of the newly formed ‘Surface Engineering and Nanotechnology Institute (SENTi). SENTi now has 26 academic and research related staff, plus 52 postgraduate research students (MSc and PhD). Recent research includes: the manufacture of low thermal conductivity thermal barrier coatings (TBCs); research into self diagnostic TBCs; coating design for energy harvesting; functional nano-structured coatings; intermetallic diffusion barriers and the development of structured corrosion resistant coatings.
In 2009, Professor Nicholls was elected as Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, recognizing his World leading research in coating design , particularly low thermal conductivity thermal barrier coatings. Professor Nicholls has published 250 papers, contributed chapters to and edited several books and is joint holder of nine coating patents. He has given numerous keynote papers worldwide and is a contributor to the prestigious ‘Gordon Research Conference’, where he is regularly invited to speak. For 2009 he was Chairman of this conference on ‘High Temperature Corrosion’. Professor Nicholls is a member and immediate past chairman of the Surface Engineering Committee of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. He is a member of the Institute’s Surface Engineering Division Board and a member of the High Temperature Materials Committee. He is a past Vice President of the Institute of Corrosion and represents the UK on the European Federation of Corrosion working party on ‘High Temperature Corrosion’.
Current activities
- The development of low thermal conductivity, electron beam, physical vapour deposited thermal barrier coatings
- The development of advanced bondcoat systems to provide long-life thermal barrier coating structures
- Oxidation and High Temperature Corrosion mechanisms, models and processes
- The development of stochastic life prediction models for bond coat oxidation
- Influence of oxidation and high temperature corrosion the fatigue lives of disc alloys
- The development of a smart corrosion resistant coating systems
- The development of life prediction models for high temperature corrosion
- The development of self diagnostic thermal barrier coating systems
- The development of advanced abradable coatings
- The development of multi-layered erosion resistant coatings
- Erosion and Foriegn Object damage
- Erosion and Foreign Object Damage to thermal barrier coatings and other high temperature coating systems
Clients
Working closely with Industry: Thirty five industrial companies, worldwide, have supported research in Professor Nicholls’ group, with 40% of the groups research funding supported by Industry.
Key Industrial clients include:
- Rolls-Royce plc, Derby, UK
- Siemens Industrial Turbines, Lincoln, UK
- Alstom Power, Whetstone, UK
- SNECMA Moteurs, Villerouche, France
- MTU, Munich, Germany
- ITP, Spain
- Howmet, USA
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Gao Z, Zhang X, Chen Y, Chalk C, Nicholls J, Brewster G & Xiao P (2024) Strain tolerance evolution of EB-PVD TBCs after thermal exposure or CMAS attack, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 44 (1) 426-434.
- Duarte Martinez F, Syed A, Dawson K, Tatlock GJ, Morar NI, Kothari M, Tang C, Leggett J, Mason-Flucke JC, Gibson G, Nicholls JR, Gray S & Castelluccio GM (2023) Effect of NaCl and SO2 on the stress corrosion cracking of CMSX-4 at 550°C, Materials at High Temperatures, 40 (4) 283-295.
- Waeytens M, Syed AU, Roberts T, Duarte Martinez F, Gray S & Nicholls JR (2023) A microscopy study of nickel-based superalloys performance in type I hot corrosion conditions, Materials at High Temperatures, 40 (4) 272-282.
- Dawson K, Duarte-Martinez F, Gray S, Nicholls J, Gibson G, Leggett J & Tatlock GJ (2023) Environmentally assisted cracking of a single crystal nickel-based superalloy, Materials at High Temperatures, 40 (4) 296-307.
- Luo W, Syed AU, Nicholls JR & Gray S (2023) An SVM-based health classifier for offline Li-ion batteries by using EIS technology, Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 170 (3) Article No. 030532.
- Chapman N, Gray S, Sumner J & Nicholls J (2022) Mechanical stress effects on 550°C hot corrosion propagation rates in precipitation hardened Ni-base superalloys: CMSX-4, CM247LC DS and IN6203DS, Oxidation of Metals, 97 (3-4) 261-279.
- Syed AU, Duarte Martinez F, Roberts T, Encinas-Oropresa, Morar NI, Grohne M, Frommherz M, Nicholls JR & Gray S (2021) Performance comparison between isothermal hot corrosion and in situ cyclic hot corrosion of nickel-based superalloys, Oxidation of Metals, 96 (1-2) 43-55.
- Chevallier J, Isern L, Almandoz Forcen K, Chalk C & Nicholls JR (2021) Modelling evaporation in electron‑beam physical vapour deposition of thermal barrier coatings, Emergent Materials, 4 (6) 1499-1513. Dataset/s: 10.17862/cranfield.rd.14519943
- Ng C-H, Yin S, Lupoi R & Nicholls JR (2021) Correlation between flattening ratio and wear performance of cold sprayed metal matrix composite coatings, Materials Letters, 285 (January) Article No. 128773.
- Isern L, Waddie AJ, Chalk C, Moore AJ & Nicholls JR (2021) Non-destructive thickness measurement of thermal barrier coatings using terahertz radiation, Emergent Materials, 4 (6) 1547-1557.
- Boissonnet G, Chalk C, Nicholls JR, Bonnet G & Pedraza F (2020) Thermal insulation of YSZ and erbia-doped yttria-stabilised zirconia EB-PVD thermal barrier coating systems after CMAS attack, Materials, 13 (19) Article No. 4382.
- Boissonnet G, Chalk C, Nicholls JR, Bonnet G & Pedraza F (2020) Phase stability and thermal insulation of YSZ and erbia-yttria co-doped zirconia EB-PVD thermal barrier coating systems, Surface and Coatings Technology, 389 (May) Article No. 125566.
- Chapman N, Gray S, Sumner J & Nicholls J (2020) Surface roughness evolution to identify incubation time for hot corrosion of nickel-base superalloys: CMSX-4, CM247LC DS and IN6203DS at 550 °C, Oxidation of Metals, Available online 24 September 2020 (5-6).
- Chalk C, Isern Arrom L & Nicholls J (2020) Terahertz optical thickness and birefringence measurement for thermal barrier coating defect location, Optics Express, 28 (21) 31535-31552.
- Ng CH, Rao J & Nicholls J (2020) The role of PVD sputtered PTFE and Al2O3 thin films in the development of damage tolerant coating systems, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 9 (1) 675-686.
- Modic M, Kovač J, Nicholls J, Kos Š, Serša G, Cvelbar U & Walsh J (2019) Targeted plasma functionalization of titanium inhibits polymicrobial biofilm recolonization and stimulates cell function, Applied Surface Science, 487 (September) 1176-1188.
- Boissonnet G, Chalk C, Nicholls J, Bonnet G & Pedraza F (2019) Thermal insulation of CMAS (Calcium-Magnesium-Alumino-Silicates)-attacked plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, Available online 19 December 2019 (54).
- Brooking L, Gray S, Dawson K, Nicholls JR, Simms NJ, Sumner J & Tatlock GJ (2019) Analysis of combined static load and low temperature hot corrosion induced cracking in CMSX-4 at 550°C, Corrosion Science, 163 (February) Article No. 108293.
- Balinski K, Jahns K, Schroth M, Bursich S, Salinne J, Impey S, Chalk C, WuebbeInnann J, Nicholls JR & Krupp U (2018) Oxidation behaviour of synthetic stainless steel interdiffusion layers, Materials at High Temperatures, 35 (1-3) 89-96.
- Iralal Morar N, Roy R, Mehnen J, Marithumu S, Gray S, Roberts T & Nicholls J (2018) Investigation of recast and crack formation in laser trepanning drilling of CMSX-4 angled holes, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 95 (9-12) 4059-4070.
- Rao J, Anjum S, Craig M & Nicholls JR (2018) Bioinspired metal-polymer thin films with varying hydrophobic properties, Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 15 (1) 87-94.
- Morar N, Roy R, Gray S, Nicholls J & Mehnen J (2018) Modelling the influence of laser drilled recast layer thickness on the fatigue performance of CMSX-4, Procedia Manufacturing, 16 67-74.
- Chapman N, Brooking L, Sumner J, Gray S & Nicholls J (2018) Corrosion fatigue testing: the combined effect of stress and high temperature corrosion, Materials at High Temperatures, 35 (1-3) 151-158.
- Brooking L, Gray S, Sumner J, Nicholls JR, Marchant G & Simms NJ (2018) Effect of stress state and simultaneous hot corrosion on the crack propagation and fatigue life of single crystal superalloy CMSX-4, International Journal of Fatigue, 116 (November) 106-117.
- Brooking L, Gray S, Sumner J, Nicholls JR & Simms NJ (2018) Interaction of hot corrosion fatigue and load dwell periods on a nickel-base single crystal superalloy, International Journal of Fatigue, 117 (December) 13-20.
- Morar N, Roy R, Mehnen J, Nicholls J & Gray S (2017) The effect of trepanning speed of laser drilled acute angled cooling holes on the high temperature low cycle corrosion fatigue performance of CMSX-4 at 850 °C, International Journal of Fatigue, 102 (September) 112-120. Dataset/s: 10.17862/cranfield.rd.4978220
- Tinsley L, Chalk C, Nicholls J, Mehnen J & Roy R (2017) A study of pulsed thermography for life assessment of thin EB-PVD TBCs undergoing oxidation ageing, NDT & E International, 92 (December) 67-74. Dataset/s: 10.17862/cranfield.rd.4985051
- Karunaratne MS, Jepson MA, Simms NJ, Nicholls JR & Thomson RC (2017) Modelling of microstructural evolution in multi-layered overlay coatings, Journal of Materials Science, 52 (20) 12279-12294.
- de Matos Loureiro da Silva Pereira VE, Nicholls JR & Newton R (2017) Modelling the EB-PVD thermal barrier coating process: Component clusters and shadow masks, Surface and Coatings Technology, 311 (February) 307-313.
- Dudziak T, Lukaszewicz M, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2017) Impact specimen geometry on T23 and TP347HFG steels behaviour during steam oxidation at harsh conditions, Corrosion Engineering, Science and Technology, 52 (1) 46-53.
- Schubert A, Wellman R, Nicholls J & Gentleman M. (2016) Direct observations of erosion-induced ferroelasticity in EB-PVD thermal barrier coatings, Journal of Materials Science, 51 (6) 3136-3145.
- Dudziak T, Łukaszewicz M, Simms N & Nicholls J (2016) Analysis of high temperature steam oxidation of superheater steels used in coal fired boilers, Oxidation of Metals, 85 (1-2).
- Craig M, Ndamka NL, Wellman RG & Nicholls JR (2015) CMAS degradation of EB-PVD TBCs: The effect of basicity, Surface and Coatings Technology, 270 (May) 145-153.
- Hussain T, Simms NJ, Nicholls JR & Oakey JE (2015) Fireside corrosion degradation of HVOF thermal sprayed FeCrAl coating at 700-800 degrees C, Surface and Coatings Technology, 268 (April) 165-172.
- Orlicka D, Simms NJ, Hussain T & Nicholls JR (2015) Comparison between oxidation of Fe-Cr-Al sputter coatings in air and air-HCl environments at 550 degrees C, Materials at High Temperatures, 32 (1-2) 167-176.
- Chatterton J, Parsons D, Nicholls J, Longhurst P, Bernon M, Palmer A, Brennan F, Kolios A, Wilson I, Ishiyama E, Clements-Croome D, Elmualim A, Darby H, Yearley T & Davies G (2015) Carbon brainprint - An estimate of the intellectual contribution of research institutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 96 74-81.
- Brossard M, Pedraza F, Craig M & Nicholls JR. (2015) Failure mechanism of an out-of-pack nickel aluminide coating cyclically oxidised at 1100 degrees C with water accelerated cooling, Surface and Coatings Technology, 276 649-657.
- Xing Z, Nicholls JR & Impey SA (2015) FEA simulation model in support of the mechanical reliability of automotive exhaust gas temperature sensors, Key Engineering Materials, 644 96-100.
- Sumner J, Encinas-Oropesa A, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2014) Type II hot corrosion: Behavior of CMSX-4 and IN738LC as a function of corrosion environment, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 65 (2) 188-196.
- Encinas-Oropesa A, Simms NJ, Nicholls JR, Oakey JE, Heikinheimo L & Tuurna S (2014) Effect of biofuel-derived contaminants on coated industrial gas turbines blade materials, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 65 (2) 206-216.
- Hussain T, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2014) Modelling fireside corrosion of thermal sprayed coatings in co-firing of coal/biomass, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 65 (2) 197-205.
- Dudziak T, Lukaszewicz M, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2014) Sample orientation and high temperature performance of T23 and T347HFG steels in steam oxidation, Journal of Corrosion Science and Engineering, 17.
- Seraffon M, Simms NJ, Sumner J & Nicholls JR (2014) Oxidation Behaviour of NiCrAl and NiCoCrAl Bond Coatings Under Industrial Gas Turbine Conditions, Oxidation of Metals, 81 (1-2) 203-215.
- Chirivi L & Nicholls JR (2014) Influence of surface finish on the cyclic oxidation lifetime of an eb-pvd tbc, deposited on PtAl and Pt-diffused bondcoats, Oxidation of Metals, 81 (1-2) 17-31.
- Cruchley S, Sun JF, Taylor MP, Evans HE, Bowen P, Sumner J, Nicholls JR, Simms NJ, Shollock BA, Chater RJ, Foss BJ, Hardy MC & Stekovic S (2014) Cautionary note on use of focused ion beam sectioning as technique for characterising oxidation damage in Ni based superalloys, Materials at High Temperatures, 31 (1) 27-33.
- Sumner J, Encinas-Oropesa A, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2013) Type II hot corrosion: Kinetics studies of CMSX-4, Oxidation of Metals, 80 (5-6) 553-563.
- Hussain T, Dudziak T, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2013) Fireside Corrosion Behavior of HVOF and Plasma-Sprayed Coatings in Advanced Coal/Biomass Co-Fired Power Plants, Journal of Thermal Spray Technology, 22 (5) 797-807.
- Liu D, Seraffon M, Flewitt PEJ, Simms NJ, Nicholls JR & Rickerby DS (2013) Effect of substrate curvature on residual stresses and failure modes of an air plasma sprayed thermal barrier coating system, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 33 (15-16) 3345-3357.
- Lukaszewicz M, Simms NJ, Dudziak T & Nicholls JR (2013) Effect of Steam Flow Rate and Sample Orientation on Steam Oxidation of Ferritic and Austenitic Steels at 650 and 700°C, Oxidation of Metals, 79 (5-6) 473-483.
- Lukaszewicz M, Simms NJ, Dudziak T & Nicholls JR (2013) Effect of Steam Flow Rate and Sample Orientation on Steam Oxidation of Ferritic and Austenitic Steels at 650 and 700°C, Oxidation of Metals, 79 (5-6) 473-483.
- Bradshaw A, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2013) Development of hot corrosion resistant coatings for gas turbines burning biomass and waste derived fuel gases, Surface and Coatings Technology, 216 8-22.
- Bradshaw A, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2013) Hot corrosion tests on corrosion resistant coatings developed for gas turbines burning biomass and waste derived fuel gases, Surface and Coatings Technology, 228 248-257.
- Anjum SS, Rao J & Nicholls JR (2012) Polymer (PTFE) and shape memory alloy (NiTi) intercalated nano-biocomposites, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 40 (1) Article No. 012006.
- Bhattacharyya D, Targa M & Nicholls JR (2012) Electron beam physical vapour deposited zirconia based ceramics for developments of solar surface coatings, Surface Engineering, 28 (2) 122-128.
- Chen J, Beake BD, Wellman RG, Nicholls JR & Dong H (2012) An investigation into the correlation between nano-impact resistance and erosion performance of EB-PVD thermal barrier coatings on thermal ageing, Surface and Coatings Technology, 206 (23) 4992-4998.
- Bhattacharyya D, Targa M & Nicholls JR (2012) Electron beam physical vapour deposited zirconia-based ceramics for developments of solar surface coatings, Surface Engineering, 28 (2) 122-128.
- Lukaszewicz M, Simms NJ, Dudziak T & Nicholls JR (2012) Characterisation of oxide scales developed on high temperature resistant alloys in pure steam environments, Materials at High Temperatures, 29 (3) 210-218.
- Karabela A, Zhao LG, Tong J, Simms NJ, Nicholls JR & Hardy MC (2011) Effects of cyclic stress and temperature on oxidation damage of a nickel-based superalloy, Materials Science and Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructures and Processing, 528 (19-20) 6194-6202.
- Taylor MP, Evans HE, Gray S & Nicholls JR (2011) A chromia forming thermal barrier coating system, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 62 (7) 668-673.
- Seraffon M, Simms NJ, Nicholls JR, Sumner J & Nunn J (2011) Performance of thermal barrier coatings in industrial gas turbine conditions, Materials at High Temperatures, 28 (4) 309-314.
- Seraffon M, Simms NJ, Sumner J & Nicholls JR (2011) The development of new bond coat compositions for thermal barrier coating systems operating under industrial gas turbine conditions, Surface and Coatings Technology, 206 (7) 1529-1537.
- Wang X, Atkinson A, Chirivi L & Nicholls JR (2010) Evolution of stress and morphology in thermal barrier coatings, Surface and Coatings Technology, 204 (23) 3851-3857.
- Nicholls JR, Wellman RG, Steenbakker R & Feist J (2010) Self Diagnostic, EB-PVD Thermal Barrier Coatings, Advances in Science and Technology, 72 65-74.
- Wellman RG, Whitman G & Nicholls JR (2010) CMAS corrosion of EB PVD TBCs: Identifying the minimum level to initiate damage, International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, 28 (1) 124-132.
- Rao J, Roberts T, Lawson K & Nicholls J (2010) Nickel titanium and nickel titanium hafnium shape memory alloy thin films, Surface and Coatings Technology, 204 (15) 2331-2336.
- Encinas-Oropesa A, Simms NJ, Nicholls JR, Drew GL, Leggett J & Hardy MC (2009) Evaluation of oxidation related damage caused to a gas turbine disc alloy between 700 and 800 degrees C, Materials at High Temperatures, 26 (3) 241-249.
- Wellman R G, Nicholls J R & Murphy K (2009) Effect of microstructure and temperature on the erosion rates and mechanisms of modified EB PVD TBCs, Wear, 267 (11) 1927-1934.
- Rose TWJ, Chalk CD & Nicholls JR (2009) Microscopy of damage mechanisms in diesel engine precombustion chambers in cyclic oxidising-carbursing environment, Materials at High Temperatures, 26 (3) 222-232.
- Bardi U, Caporali S, Craig M, Giorgetti A, Perissi I & Nicholls JR (2009) Electrodeposition of aluminium film on P90 Li-Al alloy as protective coating against corrosion, Surface and Coatings Technology, 203 (10-11) 1373-1378.
- Steenbakker RJL, Feist JP, Wellman RG & Nicholls JR (2009) Sensor Thermal Barrier Coatings: Remote In Situ Condition Monitoring of EB-PVD Coatings at Elevated Temperatures, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 131 (4) 041301-1-041301-9.
- Bradshaw A, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2008) Passage of trace metal contaminants through hot gas paths of gas turbines burning biomass and waste-fuels, Fuel, 87 (17-18) 3529-3536.
- Wellman RG & Nicholls JR (2008) Erosion, corrosion and erosion-corrosion of EB PVD thermal barrier coatings, Tribology International, 41 (7) 657-662.
- Viazzi C, Wellman R, Oquab D, Nicholls J, Monceau D, Bonino J-P & Ansart F (2008) Erosion and high temperature oxidation resistance of new coatings fabricated by a sol-gel route for a TBC application, Materials Science Forum, 595-598 PART 1 3-10.
- Simms NJ, Encinas-Oropesa A & Nicholls JR (2008) Modelling the development of type I hot corrosion on coated and uncoated single crystal superalloys, Materials Science Forum, 595-598 689-698.
- Simms NJ, Encinas-Oropesa A & Nicholls JR (2008) Hot corrosion of coated and uncoated single crystal gas turbine materials, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 59 (6) 476-483.
- Nicholls JR, Simms NJ & Encinas-Oropesa A (2007) Modelling hot corrosion in industrial gas turbines, Materials at High Temperatures, 24 (3) 149-192.
- Wellman R G, Scrivani A, Rizzi G, Weisenburger A, Tenailleau F H & Nicholls J R (2007) Pulsed electron beam treatment of MCrAlY bondcoats for EB PVD TBC systems part 2 of 2: Cyclic oxidation of the coatings., Surface and Coatings Technology, 202 (4-7) 709-713.
- Wellman R G & Nicholls J R (2007) A Review of the Erosion of Thermal Barrier Coatings., Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 40 (16) 293-305.
- Steenbakker R J L, Wellman R G & Nicholls J R (2006) Erosion of gadolinia doped EB-PVD TBCs, Surface and Coatings Technology, 201 (6) 2140-2146.
- Fanara C, Shore P, Nicholls JR, Lyford N, Kelley J, Carr J & Sommer P (2006) A new reactive atom plasma technology (RAPT) for precision machining: the etching of ULE surfaces, Advanced Materials, 8 (10) 933-939.
- Nicholls JR, Rose TWJ & Hojda R (2006) Rapid cyclic oxidation tests using joule heating of wire and foil materials, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 57 (1) 43-52.
- Cruz R, Rao J, Rose TWJ, Lawson KJ & Nicholls JR (2006) DLC-Ceramic Multilayers for Automotive Applications, Diamond and Related Materials, 15 (11-12) 2055-2060.
- Fanara C, Shore P, Nicholls JR, Lyford N, Kelley J, Carr J & Sommer P (2006) A new reactive atom plasma technology (RAPT) for precision machining: The etching of ULE (R) surfaces, Advanced Engineering Materials, 8 (10) 933-939.
- Tryon B, Feng Q, Wellman RG, Murphy KS, Yang J, Levi CG, Nicholls JR & Pollock TM (2006) Multilayered ruthenium-modified bond coats for thermal barrier coatings, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science, 37A (11) 3347-3358.
- Fanara C, Shore P, Nicholls JR, Lyford N, Kelley J, Carr J & Sommer P (2006) A New Reactive Atom Plasma Technology (RAPT) for Precision Machining: the Etching of ULE Surfaces, Advanced Materials, 8 (10) 933-939.
- Fanara C, Shore P, Nicholls J R, Lyford N, Kelley J, Carr J & Sommer P (2006) A New Reactive Atom Plasma Technology (RAPT) for Precision Machining: the Etching of ULE® Surfaces, Advanced Engineering Materials, 8 (10).
- S Y Coleman & Nicholls JR (2006) Designing Experimental for Maximum Information from Cyclic Oxidation Tests and Their Statistical analysis Using half Normal Plots, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion.
- Bennett MJ, Nicholls JR, Simms NJ, Naumenko D, Quadakkers WJ, Kochubey V, Fordham R, Bachorczyk R, Goossens D, Hattendorf H, Smith AB & Britton D (2005) Lifetime extension of FeCrAIRE alloys in air: Potential roles of an enhanced Al-reservoir and surface pretreatment, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 56 (12) 854-866.
- Wellman RG, Deakin MJ & Nicholls JR (2005) The effect of TBC morphology and aging on the erosion rate of EB-PVD TBCs, Tribology International, 38 (9) 798-804.
- Wellman RG, Deakin MJ & Nicholls JR (2005) The effect of TBC morphology on the erosion rate of EB PVD TBCs, Wear, 258 (1-4) 349-356.
- Rao J, Cruz R, Lawson KJ & Nicholls JR (2005) Sputtered DLC-TiB2 multilayer films for tribological applications, Diamond and Related Materials, 14 (11-12) 1805-1809.
- Tatlock G, Al-Badairy H, Bennett M J, Nicholls JR, Newton R & Galerie A (2005) Oxidation of Aluchrom YHf and Kanthal AF (FECrAlRE alloys) foils in air at 800-950oC, Materials Science and Technology, 21 (8) 898-900.
- Bennett M J & Nicholls JR (2005) Lifetime extension of FeCrAlRE alloys in air: Potential roles of an enhanced Al reservoir surface pretreatment, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 56 (12) 854-866.
- Rao J, Cruz R, Lawson K J & Nicholls J R (2005) Carbon and titanium diboride (TiB2) multilayer coatings., Diamond and Related Materials, 13 (11-12) 2221-2225.
- Bennett MJ, Newton R, Nicholls JR, Al-Badairy H & Tatlock GJ (2004) The oxidation behaviour of the commercial FeCrAlRE alloys Aluchrom YHf and Kanthal AF foils in air at 800 degrees-950 degrees C, Materials Science Forum 461-464.
- Bacos M, Josso P, Vualas N, Poquillon B, Pierragi D, Nicholls JR, Simms NJ, Encinas-Oropesa A, Ericsson T, Stekovic S & Monceau D (2004) ALLBATROS advanced long life blade turbine coating systems, Applied Thermal Engineering, 24 (11-12) 1745-1753.
- Wellman R G & Nicholls J R (2004) A Monte Carlo model for predicting the erosion rate of EB PVD TBCs, Wear, 256 (9-10) 889-899.
- Simms NJ, Encinas-Oropesa A & Nicholls JR (2004) Development of Hot Corrosion on Coated Single Crystal Superalloys, Materials Science Forum, 461-464 941-948.
- Wellman RG, Dyer A & Nicholls JR (2004) Nano and Micro indentation studies of bulk zirconia and EB PVD TBCs, Surface and Coatings Technology, 176 (2) 253-260.
- Wellman R G, Tourmente H, Impey S A & Nicholls J R (2004) Nano and microhardness testing of aged EB PVD TBCs, Surface and Coatings Technology, 188 79-84.
- Wellman R G & Nicholls J R (2004) On the Effect of Ageing on the Erosion of EB-PVD TBCs, Surface and Coatings Technology, 177 80-88.
- Wellman R G & Nicholls J R (2004) High Temperature Erosion-Oxidation Mechanisms, Maps and Models, Wear, 256 (9-10) 907-917.
- Saint-Ramond B, Carlin M, Silva M & Nicholls JR (2004) Low Mass Bondcoat for Robust Thermal Barrier Coatings, Materials Science Forum, 461-464 265-267.
- Rao J, Cruz R, Lawson KJ & Nicholls JR (2004) Carbon and titanium diboride multilayer coatings, Diamond and Related Materials, 13 (11-12) 2221-2225.
- Rao J, Lawson KJ & Nicholls JR (2004) The characterisation of e-beam evaporated and magnetron sputtered carbon films fabricated for atomic oxygen sensors, Surface and Coatings Technology, 197 (2-3) 154-160.
- Simms NJ, Newton R, Norton JF, Encinas-Oropesa A, Oakey JE, Nicholls JR & Wiber J (2003) Degradation of Fe-Cr-Al-RE and Ni-Cr-Al-RE foils in air and combustion gas atmospheres, Materials at High Temperatures, 20 (3) 439-451.
- Simms NJ, Heikinheimo L, Encinas-Oropesa A, Tuurna S, Kilgallon PJ, Nicholls JR & Oakey JE (2003) Predicting type II hot corrosion in industrial gas turbines, Journal of Corrosion Science and Engineering, 6.
- Bennett MJ, Newton R & Nicholls JR (2003) The behaviour of commercial FeCrAlRE Alloys in Nitrogen-Oxygen-Water Vapour Bioxidant Environments, Materials at High Temperatures, 20 (3) 347-356.
- Nicholls JR, Newton R & Bennett MJ (2003) A Life prediction model for the chemical failure of FeCrAlRE alloys: preliminary assessment of model extension to lower temperatures, Materials at High Temperatures, 20 (3) 429-438.
- Nicholls JR, Wellman RG & Deakin MJ (2003) Erosion of thermal barrier coatings, Materials at High Temperatures, 20 (2) 207-218.
- Nicholls JR, Newton R, Simms NJ & Norton JF (2003) Modelling the oxidation of FeCrAl-RE ODS alloys in simulated natural gas combustion environments, Materials at High Temperatures, 20 (2) 93-108.
- Nicholls JR (2003) Advances in Coating Design for High Performance Gas Turbines, Materials Research Bulletin, 28 659-670.
- Niewwolak L, Lawson KJ, Rossbach P, Wessel E, Shemet V, Nicholls JR & Singheiser L (2003) Transient Oxidation of Alumina Forming Ti-Al-Ag Based Alloys and Coatings Studied by SEM, AFM, XPS and LRS, Materials at High Temperatures, 20 (4) 631-637.
- Fatima Vales Silva M, Hancock P & Nicholls JR (2003) An improved three-point bending method by nanoindentation, Surface and Coatings Technology, 169-170 748-752.
- Bennett MJ, Nicholls JR, Borchardt G & Strehl G (2002) Crevice Corrosion of Cr2O3 and Al2O3 forming alloys in mixed nitrogen-oxygen environments, Materials at High Temperatures, 19 (3) 117-125.
- Nicholls JR, Lawson KJ, Johnstone A & Rickerby D S (2002) Methods to reduce the thermal conductivity of EB-PVD TBCs, Surface and Coatings Technology, 151-152 383-391.
- Hancock P, Vales da Silva MF & Nicholls JR (2002) Measurement of mechanical properties of multilayer coatings by nanoindentation, Materials Science and Technology, 18 (8) 827-830.
- Nicholls JR, Simms NJ, Chan WY & Evans HE (2002) Smart overlay coatings - concept and practice, Surface and Coatings Technology, 149 (2-3) 236-244.
- Simms NJ, Nicholls JR & Oakey JE (2001) Materials performance in solid fuel gasification systems, Materials Science Forum, 369-372 947-954.
- Fatima Vales Silva M & Nicholls JR (2001) A Model for Calculating the Thickness Profile of TiB2/Al Multilayer Coatings Produced by Planar Magnetron Sputtering, Surface and Coatings Technology, 142-144 934-938.
- Feist JP, Heyes AL & Nicholls JR (2001) Phosphor Thermometry in an EB-PVD Produced TBC Doped With Dysprosium, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 215 (6) 6333-6342.
- Simms NJ, Nicholls JR & Oakey JE (2001) Materials for Solid Fuel Fired Gas Turbines: Burner Rig and Laboratory Studies, Materials Science Forum, 369-372 833-840.
- Nicholls JR, Lawson KJ, Johnstone A & Rickerby DS (2001) Low Thermal Conductivity EB-PVD TBC, Materials Science Forum, 369-372 595-606.
- Simms NJ, Oakey JE & Nicholls JR (2000) Development and application of a methodology for the measurement of corrosion and erosion damage in laboratory, burner rig and plant environments, Materials at High Temperatures, 17 (2) 355-362.
- Wellman R G & Nicholls J R (2000) Some observations on erosion mechanisms of EB PVD TBCS, Wear, 242 (1-2) 89-96.
- Wellman R G & Nicholls J R (2000) A Mechanism for the Erosion of EB PVD TBCS, Materials Science Forum, 369-3 531-538.
- Chan WY, Evans HE, Ponton CB, Nicholls JR & Simms NJ (2000) The influence of NiAl3 on the high temperature oxidation of a plasma-sprayed overlay coating, Materials at High Temperatures, 17 (2) 173-178.
- Simms NJ, Oakey JE, Stephenson DJ, Smith PJ & Nicholls JR (1995) Erosion-corrosion modeling of gas-turbine materials for coal-fired combined-cycle power-generation, Wear, 186-187 (1) 247-255.
- Simms NJ, Oakey JE, Stephenson DJ, Smith PJ & Nicholls JR (1995) Erosion-corrosion modelling of gas turbine materials for coal-fired combined cycle power generation, Wear, 186-187 (1) 247-255.
- Hancock P, Nicholls J R & Mahmood K (1993) The influence of imposed strain rate on fracture of surface oxides., Corrosion Science, 35 (5-8) 979-987.
- Simms NJ, Smith P J, Encinas-Oropesa A, Ryder S, Nicholls JR & Oakey JE Development of Type II Hot Corrosion in Solid Fuel Fired Gas Turbines, Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion.
Conference Papers
- Frumosu L, Bishop A, Castelli M, Bennett A, Nicholls J & Huang Z (2021) Effect of plasma processing parameters on the surface modification of fibre reinforced composites by atmospheric pressure plasma treatment. In: 21st International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (euspen), Copenhagen (Virtual), 7-10 June 2021.
- Mori S, Sumner J, Pidcock A, Nicholls J & Simms N (2021) Steam Oxidation Responses of Candidate Materials for a Novel Steam Transfer Pipe. In: TESConf 2021: 10th International Conference on Through-life Engineering Services, Virtual Event: Host: University of Twente, 16-17 November 2021.
- Duarte Martinez F, Morar NI, Kothari M, Gibson G, Leggett J, Mason-Flucke J, Nicholls JR, Gastelluccio GM & Gray S (2020) Investigation into the effects of salt chemistry and SO2 on the crack initiation of CMSX-4 in static loading conditions. In: Superalloys 2021: 14th International Symposium on Superalloys, Virtual Event, 13-16 September 2021.
- Brooking L, Ferguson C, Mason-Flucke J, Gibson G, Leggett J, Palmer I, Nicholls JR & Gray S (2020) Measurement and evaluation of co-existing crack propagation in single-crystal superalloys in hot corrosion fatigue environments. In: Superalloys 2021: 14th International Symposium on Superalloys, Virtual Event, 13-16 September 2021.
- Bennett A, Jourdain R, Kirby P, MacKay P, Shore P, Nicholls J & Morantz P (2016) Microwaves enable activated plasma figuring for ultra-precision fabrication of optics. In: 16th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (EUSPEN), Nottingham, 30 May - 3 June 2016.
- Yañez Gonzalez A, Pilgrim CC, Sollazzo PY, Heyes AL, Feist JP, Nicholls JR & Beyrau F (2014) Temperature sensing inside thermal barrier coatings using phosphor thermometry. In: IET & ISA 60th International Instrumentation Symposium 2014, London, 24-26 June 2014.
- Sansom C, Tonnellier X, Read R, Nicholls J & Dorey R (2014) Design and fabrication of a coating research machine to explore the nanometer scale coating of glass tubes for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems. In: 14th International Conference and Exhibition of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (EUSPEN 2014), Dubrovnik, 2-6 June 2014.
- Feist JP, Sollazzo PY, Pilgrim C & Nicholls JR (2014) Operation of a burner rig for thermal gradient cycling of thermal barrier coatings. In: ASME Turbo Expo 2014: Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition (GT2014), Dusseldorf, 16-20 June 2014.
- Hawkins A, Wellman R, Craig M, Nicholls JR, Laul K & Shankar R (2013) Controlling YSZ abradable erosion performance by optimizing spray parameters. In: International Thermal Spray Conference and Exposition: Innovative Coating Solutions for the Global Economy, (ITSC 2013), Busan, 13-15 May 2013.
- Sumner J, Encinas-Oropesa A, Seraffon M, Simms NJ & Nicholls JR (2012) Lifetime prediction for gas turbine materials in power generation. In: International Conference on Sustainable Power Generation and Supply, Hangzhou, 8-9 September 2013.
- Encinas-Oropesa A, Simms NJ, Nicholls JR, Drew GL & Leggett J (2008) Evaluation of oxidation related damage caused to a gas turbine disc alloy between 700 and 800oC. In: Microscopy of Oxidation 7, 2008, Chester, 15-17 September 2008.
- Encinas-Oropesa A, Drew GL, Hardy MC, Leggett AJ, Nicholls JR & Simms NJ (2008) Effects of oxidation and hot corrosion in a nickel disc alloy. In: Superalloys 2008, Champion, PA, 14-18 September 2008.
- Steenbakker RJL, Wellman RG, Nicholls JR & Feist JP (2008) Sensor TBCs: remote in-situ condition monitoring of EB-PVD coatings at elevated temperatures. In: ASME Turbo Expo 2008: Power for Land, Sea, and Air (GT2008), Berlin, 9-13 June 2008.
- Rose TWJ, Chalk CD & Nicholls JR (2008) Microscopy of damage mechanisms in diesel engine pre-combustion chambers in a cyclic oxidising-carburising environment. In: Microscopy of Oxidation 7, 2008, Chester, 15-17 September 2008.
- Fanara C, Shore P, Nicholls JR, Lyford N, Sommer P & Fiske P (2006) A new reactive atom plasma technology (RAPT) for precision machining: The etching of ULE (R) surfaces. In: Optomechanical Technologies for Astronomy, 2006, Orlando, FL, 24-31 May 2006.
- Fanara C, Shore P, Nicholls JR, Lyford N, Sommer P & Fiske P (2006) A New Reactive Atom Plasma Technology (RAPT) for Precision Machining: the Etching of ULE Optical Surfaces. In: Proceedings of SPIE Optomechanical Technologies for Astronomy, Orlando, Florida, USA, 24 May 2006.
- Lawson KJ & Nicholls JR (2004) Guidelines for low thermal conductivity TBCs: an overview of the requirements and materials for low thermal conductivity thermal barrier coatings. In: Turbine Forum 2004 - Advanced Coatings for High Temperatures, Nice, 21-23 April 2004.
- Bennett MJ, Newton R, Nicholls JR, Al-Badairy H & Tatlock GJ (2004) The oxidation behaviour of the commercial FeCrAIRE alloys aluchrom YHf and kanthal AF foils in air at 800 degrees-950 degrees C. In: High Temperature Corrosion and Protection of Materials 6, 2004, Les Embiez, 16-21 May 2004.
- Simms NJ, Encinas-Oropesa A & Nicholls JR (2004) Hot corrosion of coated single crystal superalloys. In: EUROCORR 2004 - European Corrosion Conference: Long Term Prediction and Modelling of Corrosion, Nice, 12-16 September 2004.
- White CB, Rao J, Roberts GT, Chambers AR, Lawson KJ & Nicholls JR (2003) The development of carbon-based sensors for the measurement of atomic oxygen. In: 9th International Symposium on Materials in a Space Environment, Noordwijk, 16 June 2003.
- Nicholls JR & Rickerby D (2003) Thermal barrier coating of Gas Turbines: Current Status and Future challenges. In: 3rd International conference on Recent Advances in Materials, Minerals and the Environment May 2003, Penang, Malaysia, 1 May 2003.
- Nicholls JR, Simms NJ, Taylor M & Evans HE (2002) Smart overlay coatings. In: Advanced Coatings for High Temperature Turbine Forum, Nice, France, 17 April 2002.
- Nicholls JR, Lawson KJ, Johnstone A & Rickerby DS (2002) Development of low thermal conductivity TBCS. In: Advanced coatings for high temperatures - Turine Forum, Nice, France, 17 April 2002.
- Nicholls JR, Lawson KJ, Johnstone A & Rickerby DS (2001) Low thermal conductivity EB-PVD thermal barrier coatings. In: High Temperature Corrosion and Protection of Materials 5, 2000, Les Embiez, 22-26 May 2000.
- Simms NJ, Smith PJ, Encinas-Oropesa A, Ryder S, Nicholls JR & Oakey JE (2001) Development of type II hot corrosion in solid fuel fired gas turbines.
- Simms NJ, Kilgallon PJ, Nicholls JR & Oakey JE (2001) Gas turbines for solid fuel fired combined cycle power plants. In: John Stringer Symposium on High Temperature Corrosion : proceedings from Materials Solutions Conference 2001, Indianapolis, IN, 5 November 2001.
- Nicholls JR, Simms NJ, Neseyif S, Evans HE, Pontin CB & Taylor M (2000) Hot corrosion of smart overlay coatings. In: High Temperature Corrosion and Materials Chemistry: Proceedings of the Per Kofstad Memorial Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii, 17-22 October 1999.
- Simms NJ, Oakey JE & Nicholls JR (2000) A methodology for the quantification of corrosion and erosion damage in laboratory, burner rig and plant environments. In: High Temperature Corrosion and Materials Chemistry: Proceedings of the Per Kofstad Memorial Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii, 17-22 October 1999.
- Nicholls JR, Jaslier Y & Rickerby DS (1997) Erosion and foreign object damage of thermal barrier coatings. In: High Temperature Corrosion and Protection of Materials 4, 1996, Les Embiez.
- Cash M & Nicholls JR (1997) Hot salt stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue of titanium alloys. In: High Temperature Corrosion and Protection of Materials 4, 1996, Les Embiez.
- Deakin MJ & Nicholls JR (1997) Surface coatings on titanium alloys to limit oxygen ingress. In: High Temperature Corrosion and Protection of Materials 4, 1996, Les Embiez.
- Meadowcroft DB, Tomkings AB, Grabke H, Hertzman S, Johansson R, Jonsson B, Klower J, Linden J, Nicholls J, Norton JF, Rocchini G & Saunders SRJ (1997) A code of practice for discontinuous corrosion testing in high temperature gaseous atmospheres. In: High Temperature Corrosion and Protection of Materials 4, 1996, Les Embiez.
Books
- Nicholls JR & Simms NJ (2010) Gas turbine oxidation and corrosion. In: Shrier's corrosion. Richardson TJA (ed.), Amsterdam, p. 518-540.
- Nicholls JR, Long KA & Simms NJ (2010) Diffusion coatings. In: Shreir's Corrosion, Amsterdam, p. 2532-2555.
- Nicholls J (eds), (2003) Parsons 2003: Engineering Issues in Turbine Machinery, Power Plant and Renewables - 16-18 September 2003, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland: 2003, Maney.
- Simms N, Nicholls J, Oakey J (eds), (2001) Lifetime modelling of high temperature corrosion processes, Maney Publishing.
- Nicholls J, Rose T (eds), (2001) Titanium alloys at elevated temperature: structural development and service behaviour, IoM Communications.
- Simms N, Encinas-Oropesa A, Nicholls J, Oakey J (eds), (2001) Life modelling of high temperature corrosion processes, Maney Publishing.
- Simms NJ, Nicholls JR & Oakey JE (2001) Corrosion and lifetime modelling of components in coal fired combined cycle power systems. In: Lifetime Modelling of High Temperature Corrosion Processes, London: Maney Publishing, p. 379-397.