Ten university projects, including one from the Georgia Institute of Technology, to conduct advanced turbine technology research under the Office of Fossil Energy’s University Turbine Systems Research (UTSR) Program have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for additional development.

Developing gas turbines that run with greater cleanness and efficiency than current models is of great benefit both to the environment and the power industry, but development of such advanced turbine systems requires significant advances in high-temperature materials science, an understanding of combustion phenomena, and development of innovative cooling techniques to maintain integrity of turbine components. These university projects will further the goal of producing advanced gas turbines that combine high-efficiency, low-emissions, and cost-effectiveness.

Dr. Rick Neu, Professor of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, is the principal investigator of the project from Georgia Tech. The aim of this project is to develop a microstructure-sensitive crystal viscoplasticity (CVP) model that accounts for γ’ precipitate morphology evolution that will be introduced through the coupling of coarsening kinetics and constitutive relations of the CVP model.  Long-term creep-fatigue interaction studies with specific emphasis on the role of microstructure will be conducted on two single-crystal Ni-base superalloys with potential application to industrial gas turbines. 

Established in 1992, the UTSR Program has grown into a consortium of university, government, and industry participants working together to make the most of U.S.-based university research for advanced turbines and turbine-based systems; to advance fundamental turbine technology development; to support industry by providing cutting edge experimental research and modeling tools; and to provide U.S. students with practical training in gas turbine technologies.  The program, managed by the Office of Fossil Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, investigates combustion, aerodynamics, heat transfer, and materials systems — all areas that support the Office of Fossil Energy's Advanced Turbine Program goals.

Read about all 10 university projects selected on the DOE website.