Aerial firefighting helicopters ingest significant volumes of airborne particles, and operators are advised to conduct periodic “compressor washes” to remove the contaminants from the compressor.

What are Ceramic Matrix Composites? Composite materials typically consist of two components: a reinforcement part to provide mechanical strength and a matrix material that holds all the components ...

AMES, Iowa – Engineers know that gas turbine engines for aircraft and power plants are more efficient and burn less fuel when they run at temperatures high enough to melt metal. But how to raise ...

Wire arc additive manufacturing allowed this robot arm at ORNL to transform metal wire into a complete steam turbine blade like those used in power plants. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of ...

Pre-swirl systems are a critical component in modern gas turbine engines, designed to condition the cooling airflow before it reaches the turbine rotor blades. By imparting a controlled rotational ...

As turbine blades experience high temperatures they can begin to elongate and rub up against the engine’s case wall. Credit: Australian Transport Safety Board Modern turbine engines are reliable when ...

A multidisciplinary research group has formulated new protective coatings to allow turbine engines to run hotter -- with potential dividends for the environment and people. A University of ...