Rolls-Royce and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) have teamed up with three UK universities to support the development of cleaner and more efficient gas turbines.
The £50m Strategic Partnership in Structural Metallic Systems for Advanced Gas Turbine Applications aims to create the next generation of materials scientists and metallurgical engineers to advance the development of the technology.
The project will benefit from input from the universities of Birmingham, Cambridge and Swansea, which, over the next 10 years, will undertake research into the development of materials that will improve gas turbine efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Ric Parker, director of research and technology at Rolls-Royce, said: ‘Materials research is a vital part of ensuring we have the technology and skills needed to deliver gas turbines that will meet our customers’ future requirements. The strategic partnership with the EPSRC is an important step in developing these technologies and skills.’
Research to be carried out through the partnership will include high-temperature metallic systems, light-alloy systems, high-strength and corrosion-resistant steels, composite materials and coating technology.
Dave Delpy, chief executive of the EPSRC, said: ‘This exciting programme of research and training will help create the next generation of metallurgy specialists. These specialists are essential to the global competitiveness of UK manufacturing companies and the development of new materials from their research will play an important role in the future needs of industry and the wider society.’
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I'd like to know where these are operating in the UK. The report is notably light on this. I wonder why?