Flying into the Future: How Research into Sustainable Aviation Can Help you Fly Greener

The Gas Turbine (or Jet Engine) is the driving force of global travel and is vital to our modern way of life. In this talk, Tom will discuss the history of the Gas Turbine from its conceptualisation by Frank Whittle, to the modern-day giants that can take hundreds of passengers across the globe. He will introduce the inner workings of the engine with a focus on the combustion system.

Professor Walker will give a brief introduction into the environmental impact of aviation and how the industry can move towards net zero. This includes potential solutions such as electrification, biofuels, or sustainable aviation fuels, and burning hydrogen. The talk will also introduce the National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Processes and how Loughborough University are contributing to decarbonising the UK aerospace industry. Professor Walker’s talk will be followed by researchers from NCCAT who will expand on these activities.

Tom will provide a short demonstration of a combustion experiment. By viewing a simple flame with specialist imaging, we can gain insight into the science behind the combustion process and get a taster of the kind of experiments we conduct at the NCCAT.

Exploring the Future of Combustion Technology
Join Max for an engaging talk on cutting-edge combustion research. From low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) experiments to advanced high-temperature, high-pressure combustion facilities, discover how these state-of-the-art experiments are driving the development of next-generation combustion hardware.

Whether you're curious about the science behind isothermal single-phase experiments or the real-world applications of elevated temperature/pressure testing, this session offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of energy and propulsion. Don't miss it!

Join Poppy for an insightful talk on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and their role in transforming the aviation industry. Learn how these innovative fuels, derived from diverse sources using advanced conversion processes, are paving the way for cleaner, greener air travel.

Discover how SAFs can significantly reduce the climate impact of future gas turbine propulsion systems and contribute to the decarbonisation of aviation. Don't miss this chance to explore the future of sustainable flight.

With global air traffic set to soar over the next 30 years, reducing engine emissions is critical to meeting industry and government climate targets. Join Ashley for an eye-opening talk on hydrogen as a potential alternative fuel for aviation.

Learn about the complexities of using hydrogen for flight, the challenges it presents, and the innovative research being carried out by the National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology (NCCAT) in collaboration with government and industry. Discover how hydrogen could revolutionise air travel and drive a more sustainable future.