(EPSRC) High-Entropy Coatings for Hydrogen Gas Turbines

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.

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.