| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/D030781/1 |
| Title: |
A 3D Journey Through a Jet Engine |
| Principal Investigator: |
Withers, Professor P |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Materials |
| Organisation: |
University of Manchester, The |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 November 2005 |
Ends: |
30 April 2006 |
Value (£): |
19,600
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Manufact. Enterprise Ops& Mgmt |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Air travel is an experience with which most of us are familiar. In order to meet the demands of today, new aircraft are being constantly developed to use new and exciting materials in order to make them cheaper, faster and more efficient and environmentally friendly. Aerospace materials also need to be strong, lightweight and able to operate at extreme temperatures. It is important that design engineers understand how these materials perform and how they need to be tested and analysed to ensure that they meet the safety requirements of the aerospace industry as well as the design requirements.The School of Materials at the University of Manchester is at the leading edge of research into aerospace materials. The materials are analysed and tested using a range of techniques, including an x-ray method that is able to 'see' inside the materials. They have also developed an exciting technique for viewing materials and components in three dimensions so that it is easier to visualise these materials. This technique uses a stereoscopic system using two projectors and polarising glasses to produce realistic three dimensional, moving images. It is also possible to interact with the images using an everyday games controller, which allows the user to 'fly'virtually through the engine.Complex engineering achievements are difficult to appreciate in books. By projecting a 3D image of a jet engine we are able to travel through it and look at how the important parts work, as if we had X-ray glasses. We can see the materials and components more clearly and understand how research is used to improve the efficiency and performance of the jet engine.This project is to improve an existing stereoscopic 3D movie of a jet engine and to develop the material to be able to create a new teaching movie to be presented to students in Key Stage 3/4 of the National Curriculum. At its heart it will have a 3D journey through a Rolls-Royce Trent jet engine. Accompanying this will be further images, video and factual data along with actual key engine components. Together they will show how a jet engine works and how it is constructed, the materials used and some of the research undertaken by the university which enables the jet engine to perform as the designers intended.The finished movie will become part of NATEC's portfolio of training, skills and education projects that will be regularly used in its school outreach programme. The end result will be a presentation that will enthuse, engage and inspire students to look at science, engineering and technology as an exciting vocation that offers a benefit to the world through the creation of new products.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.man.ac.uk |