(EPSRC) High-Entropy Coatings for Hydrogen Gas Turbines

About the project

About the Project As the aviation and power generation sectors move towards decarbonisation, gas turbine manufacturers are developing hydrogen-fuelled engines. However, burning hydrogen produces nearly three times more high-velocity steam than conventional fuels such as kerosene, creating new environmental challenges for protective coatings on turbine components. This steam can accelerate coating degradation and loss of protection, reducing component lifespan and increasing lifecycle costs. Therefore, coatings with enhanced environmental resistance in hot-steam conditions are urgently needed for hydrogen gas turbines. In parallel, the gas turbine industry is increasingly adopting additive manufacturing (AM) to produce complex and lightweight components. Many of these 3D-printed parts require protective coatings, yet the compatibility between coatings and AM substrates remains poorly understood. Addressing this gap is essential to support the wider adoption of AM in high-temperature environments. This project aims to develop next-generation coatings for hydrogen gas turbines using high-entropy alloy (HEA) principles. We hypothesise that the exceptional thermal stability and sluggish diffusion kinetics of HEAs make them excellent candidates for resisting oxidation and corrosion in high-temperature steam. Guided by thermodynamic modelling and machine learning, we will identify compositions that optimise oxidation resistance, mechanical integrity, and compatibility with AM superalloys. Coatings will be fabricated and tested under high-velocity steam conditions, with degradation mechanisms characterised using advanced electron microscopy and modelling. The research will provide opportunities to collaborate closely with leading industry partners in this field, offering valuable exposure to industrial research environments and real-world challenges. The outcomes will validate a new design framework for environmentally resistant HEA coatings and contribute to the development of sustainable coating solutions that support the transition to hydrogen-powered and additively manufactured gas turbine systems. At the University of Manchester, we pride ourselves on our commitment to fairness, inclusion and respect in everything we do. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, and encourage you to bring your whole self to work and study. We will ensure that your application is given full consideration without regard to your race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, marital or pregnancy status, or socioeconomic background. All PhD places will be awarded on the basis of merit. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact NaturalSciences-PGR-Admissions@manchester.ac.uk Admissions is not involved in recruitment decisions. Entry Requirements Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline. Funding This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants and EU students with settled status. Exceptional international candidates can also be considered. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026. Before you apply We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project. How to apply You will need to submit an online application through our website here: https://uom.link/pgr-apply Please also put a clear subject line in the email – e.g. I wish to apply for ( EPSRC) High-Entropy Coatings for Hydrogen Gas Turbines, from your name When you apply, you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents: Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress CV You will be asked to supply contact details for two referees on the application form (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/ work email address as we may need to verify the reference) Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it. English Language certificate (if applicable). If you require an English qualification to study in the UK, you can apply now and send this in at a later date. We recommend that you apply early as the advert will be removed once the position has been filled. Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status. We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder). featuredproject15dec25 | featuredproject15March26 | featuredproject21June26

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