Start date: 2026

Responsible researcher: Akilan Mathiazhagan

The overall goal of the ETHAN project (Electrical and Thermal Networks for Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Systems) is to develop new coupled electrical and thermal System Architectures for hybrid-electric aircraft in order to achieve the goals of environmentally friendly aviation formulated in the European strategy document "Flight Path 2050".

The project is mainly concerned with modelling the thermal network and optimising the cooling system of the electrical components. The technical objectives include the complete description of all thermally relevant network components, i.e. the components of the cooling system and, in particular, the components of the electric drive system. Using the component models, thermal networks are to be developed for various system configurations and then steady-state and transient operating conditions are to be analysed. Optimisation strategies will be used to find the best possible design according to the requirements.

Start date: 2022

Responsible researcher: Karunakar Reddy Konda

ETHAN project deals with the design, management and system testing of highly integrated electro-thermal systems. In this project, FTD is concerned with the development of a thermal network for the purpose of thermal management of the hybrid-electric drive system. In this thermal management system, the thermal behaviour of those components whose temperatures must be constantly monitored should be modelled and the interaction between them investigated at system level. The choice of cooling concepts, which may influence the architecture of the entire thermal management system, will be closely scrutinised in this project. All possible error situations during the flight and the resulting behaviour of the thermal management system will be investigated for a safe and reliable mission.

Start date: 2022

Responsible researcher: Dikshant Sharma

Heat exchangers are crucial in aerospace applications and mission-critical aviation. The development of heat exchangers for hybrid electric applications is an emerging field. My research includes the development of a multi-scale, structurally loaded heat exchanger model for the ETHAN project (Electrical and Thermal Networks for Hybrid Electric Propulsion Systems). The overall goal of ETHAN is to develop a new, coupled electrical and thermal System Architecture for hybrid-electric aircraft in order to achieve the goals of environmentally friendly aviation formulated in the European strategy document "Flight Path 2050".

The technical objectives of my research include the thermomechanical modelling of the transient operating conditions of the heat exchanger model, the mechanical and structural design including operation and maintenance considerations as well as manufacturing considerations with cost estimates. The above is coupled with results from heat transfer and pressure drop analysis to determine the overall functional heat exchanger model. My work also serves to understand the basic failure modes of the heat exchanger according to ARP4754 safety standards and CS23 certification standards. Finally, optimisation strategies are used to find the best possible designs according to the requirements and problem specifications.

Start date:2022

Responsible researcher: Akilan Mathiazhagan

This research project, carried out in collaboration with universities and industrial partners, focuses on numerically based design processes in gas turbines, specifically investigating the thermomechanical behaviour and crack initiation and propagation in modern pressure-loaded turbine blades without a blade tip made of monocrystalline materials.

A critical aspect of this research is the investigation of the flow conditions at the tip of uncrimped turbine blades. These conditions fluctuate due to changes in the blade casing gap, which in turn affect mass flow, pressure and temperature. Understanding these changes is critical to accurately analyse the temperature and stress factors that influence blade cracking behaviour.

Start date: 2024

Responsible researcher: Dongsuk Kim

Virtual Engine Development VI
This research project, conducted in collaboration with universities and industrial partners, focuses on numerically based design processes in gas turbines, specifically investigating the thermomechanical behaviour as well as crack initiation and propagation in modern pressure-loaded turbine blades without airfoils made of monocrystalline materials.

AI will be used to identify conditions that could lead to cracks at the blade tip and thus contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms. The knowledge gained in this research project will pave the way for improved turbine blade designs and ensure higher reliability and performance in pressurised environments.

Start date: 2024

Responsible researcher: Abdulla Fathalla