Development of Advanced Coatings for Improved Environmental Performance PhD

Successful bridging technologies must be adopted as early as possible to ensure greenhouse emissions produced by power generating devices, such as gas turbines, are reduced. This includes research into hydrogen combustion for a wide range of applications, including aviation and industrial activities such as electric power generation and pumping activities.

This PhD project involves researching the bridging technologies on behalf of the industrial sponsor Siemens Energy Industrial Turbomachinery Limited, which is a manufacturer of industrial gas turbines (IGT). The successful research into those bridging technologies (which will include modelling and experimental work) will reduce greenhouse emissions by enabling operation of the IGTs at higher metal temperatures and with novel fuels. The proposed research therefore aims to develop coating technologies, which will provide component materials the ability to cope with higher operating temperatures, and may be further beneficial when hydrogen fuel, or other novel green fuels, become standard, as these fuels may induce higher operating temperatures.
The proposed research will be co-funded by the prestigious EPSRC iCASE (Industrial Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering) award and the industrial sponsor, providing a four-year tax free fully funded PhD studentship.

The successful candidate will work within a multi-disciplinary team supported by academics and industrial supervisors. Upon completion of the research, the successful candidate will have developed understanding/expertise in the bridging technologies and environmental issues, in coating, which may ultimately lead to a future in either academia or industry.

Cranfield University is a unique learning environment with world-class programmes, and close links with business, industry, and governments, all combining to attract the best students and teaching staff from around the world. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment, 81% of research at Cranfield was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. Siemens Energy drives innovation, develops new technologies, applies cutting edge manufacturing technologies – all to deliver the most advanced IGTs that will set new standards in terms of efficiency, reliability, and emission reduction. ‘Let’s make tomorrow different today’ is Siemens Energy’s genuine commitment to customers and employees on the way to a sustainable future.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work alongside the industry sponsor and gain significant experience in industrial research and development as well as to present at national and international conferences. Appropriate levels of technical training will be provided including design of experiments, a range of analytical skills, and other transferable skills (including presentation, organisational and project management). The combination of academic and industry contacts will be beneficial to the candidate’s learning experience, future employability, and career development.