Turbomachinery and Propulsion Laboratory Added

The Center for Flow Physics and Control is adding a Turbomachinery and Propulsion Laboratory (TPL). The new facility, which is designed to simulate the operating conditions of a gas turbine engine, will be under the direction of Scott C. Morris, assistant professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering. Gas turbine engines power advanced commercial and military aircraft. The facility will study the fluid flow through the rotating blade rows of the compressor. Ph.D. candidate Joshua Cameron is working with engineers from Pratt & Whitney to complete the mechanical design and construction of the facility, and they anticipate that the TPL will be fully operational in early 2005.

Studies in the TPL will use technology developed at Notre Dame, such as plasma anemometers and actuators, to sense and control the flow in a closed loop system. Information gathered from this research will assist in the design of engines that
are lighter, feature fewer parts, cost less to manufacture, offer greater fuel efficiency, and produce fewer emissions.

Copyright 2004. University of Notre Dame.