Transpiration Cooling Systems for Jet Engine Turbines and Hypersonic Flight

The School of Metallurgy and Materials, in collaboration with the High Temperature Research Centre (HTRC) is seeking to recruit a PhD student as part of a multi-discipline EPSRC project on Transpiration Cooling Systems for Jet Engine Turbines and Hypersonic Flight. This project is a collaborative venture with the Universities of Oxford, Southampton, Imperial College and Birmingham. The overall project aim is to design internal fluid channels and outlets to the surface of metallic components which will maximise heat uptake by the fluid. The key objective for the current post is to develop manufacturing methodologies to support the development of z-axis or vertically-aligned fibrous preforms that will be used at elevated temperatures and methods for their integration in to downstream manufacturing processes. This includes: (i) developing an understanding of the parameters that influence the spatial orientation and volume fraction of the z-axis fibre preforms; (ii) investigating appropriate chemical conversion processes to render them fit-for-purpose for the specified industrial application; (iii) to achieve a level of maturity necessary for the technology to be deployed in industry; (iv) and development of manufacturing methods to convert the preforms to structural metallic test coupons and eventually components.

In addition, the project will also target the following specific research objectives:
• To develop models for the production of vertically-aligned short-fibre preforms.
• To design and develop appropriate electrode configurations to control the deposition of the short-fibres in the required spatial orientations.
• To optimise the production process using sensor systems and relevant instrumentation.
• To evaluate mechanical strength and dimensional stability of the pre and post-converted preforms.


The successful candidate must hold a first degree in Physics or a related discipline (minimum upper second class) and have an interest in instrumentation or materials processing. Experience in electrostatics, instrumentation or sensor development will de advantageous. A post-doctoral research fellow will lead this project along with Professors Gerard Fernando and Nick Green.