Page 52 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2015 publication
P. 52
Summer 2014 European Energy Innovation
COMMUNICATION
Green Aviation Research
at Imperial College London
By Professor Paul Robinson, Director of Green Aviation, Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London
Imperial College London Aeronautics Department together such diverse topics as active and
has been at the forefront with those of its other pre- passive drag reduction, air traffic
of aeronautical research eminent engineering and science management, modelling for
since the very early days departments and its specialist advanced composite airframes,
of powered flight and much cross-disciplinary centres in optimisation of jet engines,
of the current research is areas such as transport systems, climate change modelling,
focussed on the development composites, climate change structural health monitoring,
of technologies that will deliver and bio-fuels. The research is suppression of combustion
greener air travel for future extensively supported by national instabilities for quieter engines,
generations. This research draws and European funding bodies biofuels and the development of
on the expertise and facilities of (including EPSRC, TSB & EEC), next generation multifunctional
College’s internationally leading and industry, and addresses composite materials.
INVESTING IN FACILITIES
The Department of Aeronautics
has state-of-the-art facilities to
support these green aviation
research activities including high
quality wind tunnels equipped
with advanced instrumentation,
specialist manufacturing,
testing and inspection facilities
for composite materials, and
advanced equipment for low
and high velocity impact. These
facilities have received a significant
boost with the success of a £13m
EPSRC proposal led by the
Aeronautics Department for the
establishment of a National Wind
Tunnel Facility to keep Britain
at the forefront of experimental
aerodynamics research. £4m of
the award will be used to enhance
the wind tunnels at Imperial.
TRAINING THE DESIGNERS OF
FUTURE GREEN AIRCRAFT
The Aeronautics Department
at Imperial is the UK’s leading
provider of aeronautical
engineering training at
undergraduate level and also
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
COMMUNICATION
Green Aviation Research
at Imperial College London
By Professor Paul Robinson, Director of Green Aviation, Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London
Imperial College London Aeronautics Department together such diverse topics as active and
has been at the forefront with those of its other pre- passive drag reduction, air traffic
of aeronautical research eminent engineering and science management, modelling for
since the very early days departments and its specialist advanced composite airframes,
of powered flight and much cross-disciplinary centres in optimisation of jet engines,
of the current research is areas such as transport systems, climate change modelling,
focussed on the development composites, climate change structural health monitoring,
of technologies that will deliver and bio-fuels. The research is suppression of combustion
greener air travel for future extensively supported by national instabilities for quieter engines,
generations. This research draws and European funding bodies biofuels and the development of
on the expertise and facilities of (including EPSRC, TSB & EEC), next generation multifunctional
College’s internationally leading and industry, and addresses composite materials.
INVESTING IN FACILITIES
The Department of Aeronautics
has state-of-the-art facilities to
support these green aviation
research activities including high
quality wind tunnels equipped
with advanced instrumentation,
specialist manufacturing,
testing and inspection facilities
for composite materials, and
advanced equipment for low
and high velocity impact. These
facilities have received a significant
boost with the success of a £13m
EPSRC proposal led by the
Aeronautics Department for the
establishment of a National Wind
Tunnel Facility to keep Britain
at the forefront of experimental
aerodynamics research. £4m of
the award will be used to enhance
the wind tunnels at Imperial.
TRAINING THE DESIGNERS OF
FUTURE GREEN AIRCRAFT
The Aeronautics Department
at Imperial is the UK’s leading
provider of aeronautical
engineering training at
undergraduate level and also
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
