Shini Somara: What is your PhD research focus?
Abigail Berhane: Approximately one-third of the loss in an aeroengine turbine comes from the ‘aerodynamic friction’ present between the blade surface and fluid. This is also known as ‘skin friction’, which is influenced by the surface roughness of the blades. How surface roughness and skin friction relate is currently unknown. Surfaces of turbine blades can be really non-uniform, making it challenging to measure and predict.
My research involves relating any surface present in a turbine blade to a given loss. This is useful for turbine designers and aerodynamicists in improving efficiency of current and new designs, and the use of new materials. I hope my research will be used as a guide to understand how roughness can affect turbine performance, because as soon as an engine is used, its surface roughness changes because of hot air and fuel mixtures, volcanic ash, dust and other environmental flight conditions...