ETN Global is pleased to announce our support towards a fully funded PhD position – Development of Advanced Additive Manufacturing for Blades in High Efficiency and Low Emission Gas Turbines – as part of our new initiative under the Additive Manufacturing (AM) Working Group – the AM Alloys Project. This initiative is developed in collaboration with Cranfield University and leading industry stakeholders.

The PhD research will contribute directly to the decarbonisation of the energy sector by enabling innovation in gas turbine technologies. As the energy transition accelerates, gas turbines must operate more efficiently and use alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels.

Additive manufactured (AM) components offer a promising route to increase the operating temperatures of turbines, improving overall system efficiency. However, the degradation behaviour of AM materials under various fuel conditions remains a critical research gap.

This PhD project will:

• Analyse how fuel chemistry impacts degradation of AM alloys
• Evaluate the influence of different AM printing parameters on material performance
• Provide recommendations for the design of new alloys suitable for AM
• Advise on the use of protective coatings to enhance durability
• Assess whether AM materials can withstand challenging fuel environments as well as or better than traditionally manufactured components

The PhD will be hosted at Cranfield University, fully sponsored by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, with strong engagement from ETN Global’s industry-academia network, offering participants valuable career development and networking opportunities in both academic and industrial settings.

• The position is fully funded
• Application deadline: 4 June 2025
• PhD supervisor: Stefano Mori
• View full project details and application information here

More information about ETN Global’s AM alloys project here. If you are interested in learning more about our activities in AM, visit our AM Working Group webpage.