START and ExCCL Labs

The Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START) Laboratory, directed by Prof. Karen Thole, focuses on sustainable propulsion and power generation through innovating turbine technologies using true-scale engine hardware, developing sensors and instrumentation for smart turbines, advancing manufacturing for turbine applications, and integrating and embedding sensors through additive manufacturing.  START  is a center of excellence for two gas turbine manufacturers and is heavily supported by DOE, ARPA-E, FAA ASCENT, and NASA.

The Experimental and Computational Convection Laboratory (ExCCL), directed by Prof. Stephen Lynch, conducts experimental and computational studies of turbulence and convective heat transfer physics for aerospace applications to enable more efficient and effective propulsion and power generation. Subjects being researched include development of advanced non-contact measurement techniques, novel turbine blade cooling techniques, additive manufacturing using metal and ceramic materials, and topology optimization for high intensity heat transfer applications.