SAMULET Project 1 - High Efficiency Turbomachinery

A single gas turbine engine on a long-haul flight could emit 836 fewer tonnes of carbon dioxide per year if the efficiency gains from this project are realised. Air travel demand is set to double within 15 years, yet Europe’s aviation research body has set strict emissions targets that current engine technology cannot meet. To square growth with climate goals, gas turbines must burn less fuel and run hotter. This project tackles that challenge from four directions at once: better cooling systems, improved aerodynamics, reduced vibration-induced fatigue, and new materials that can withstand higher temperatures. Because these work packages are interlinked, a material that allows a hotter running temperature, for example, opens up new design options for the cooling team. If successful, the research could directly cut the carbon footprint of every new aircraft that uses the technology. It also reduces lifecycle costs for airlines, which in turn affects ticket prices and fleet renewal decisions. The project is part of a larger programme that deliberately combines disciplines—materials scientists, aerodynamicists, and cooling engineers working together—rather than pursuing narrow, isolated improvements. This cross-disciplinary approach is expected to deliver greater overall efficiency than previous efforts.