Biography
- 2015 -2016: M.Sci Natural Science at University of Cambridge, project on TiAl
- 2011 - 2014: BA (Hons) Natural Sciences at Univeristy of Cambridge
Research
Inefficiences in gas turbines arise due to gas flowing though the turbine escaping from the working gas path. This is currently prevented by a shroud around the turbine blade tip. However, this adds to the mass of the blade, decreasing lifetime at a given operating temperature. An alternative approach is to remove the shroud and replace it with an abrasive layer, typically c-BN, fixed to the blade tip with an MCrAlY alloy. However, initial work has shown that such alloy systems have insufficient strength at the service temperature.
I am working to develop alternative NiAl-based alloys for this application, with a focus on characterising the relative importance of different properties for the desired application.
